Madam, - Amid all the discussion about the irrepressible Eddie Hobbs and his Rip-Off Republic, it is instructive to learn that Fine Gael's focus on fair prices is not merely of recent origin.
Kevin O'Higgins, an accomplished politician who would surely have led Fine Gael in the 1930s had his life not been ended so brutally by assassins' bullets in July 1927, spoke thus in Cork in October 1926:
"The strength or weakness of any country is its average man. I hope that our average man is working hard, is giving value for money whatever he is at for only in that way will we make progress."
Elsewhere in his address to the people of Cork, O'Higgins spoke of the need to "strike a note of value for money from top to bottom of this State, whether the money be rates, or wages, or salary, business profits, or professional fees". - Yours, etc,
FRANK BOUCHIER-HAYES, Newcastle West, Co Limerick.
Madam, - While sympathising with anyone who is genuinely struggling because of the cost of living, I would like to put in a few good words in favour of so-called "Rip-Off Ireland".
Perhaps I'm one of the lucky ones (if anyone can be considered lucky to have grown old) but, as an old-age pensioner over 70 living alone, I get a free medical card, free television licence, free telephone rental, free travel on buses, trains and ferries, an electricity allowance, concessions to places of entertainment and so on. Friends from other countries are amazed and envious. So, roll on, Rip-Off Ireland!
In my free time I'm picking the blackberries and elderberries now hanging in abundance from the hedgerows. As I rip off the free fruit from the branches I'm thinking of the delicious, nutritious jelly I'm going to make for just the price of the sugar, instead of paying for flavourless muck in the supermarket. O bountiful Rip-Off Ireland!
In our warmest summer for 10 years, beautiful young women have been ripping off their outer garments to my visual delight and gratification. It wasn't like that in my youth. Viva Rip-Off Ireland!
In the immortal words of the poet, Patrick Kavanagh, my message for Mother Rip-Off Ireland is, "Let her rip!". - Yours, etc,
JAMES EVANS, Lower Churchtown Road, Dublin 14.