Sir, – Derek Scally’s report on the recent Bertellsman Foundation research (“Irish strong on solidarity despite harsh economic conditions”, World News, July 17th) is a welcome reminder that the end of the Celtic Tiger era has not spelled the end of our core values as a nation. The survey quoted corresponds closely to other opinion polls, including one undertaken just last month by MRBI, which showed that 77 per cent of Irish people feel that the economic crisis is not a reason for us to renege on our promise to increase our spending on overseas aid. I am proud to be a citizen of a country that understands that its future requires both local and global solidarity. – Yours, etc,
JOANNE McGARRY,
Connolly Avenue,
Inchicore, Dublin 8.