A chara, - Dermot Ahern continues to live in blissful ignorance of the reality of life under his Government.
He is quoted in your paper (May 26th) as saying that this Government was making "tough decisions" and that "our prosperity depends on it".
Yes, the Government is making decisions. These are making life tough for the rest of us and not for the well-paid at the Cabinet table.
Hospitals continue to be downgraded. The maternity units in Monaghan and Dundalk have been axed and the promised midwife units are a long way off. A tough decision all right - tough on expectant mothers!
Schools all across the country are leaking, rotting and vermin infested. The Department of Education and Science decides that these schools do not get replaced. This is indeed a tough decision, Mr Ahern: tough on our children.
Community employment schemes are being axed all across the country. This was a tough decision on the various voluntary and community groups which are now being left with no support. But it was not tough on the Cabinet Ministers who abandon business in Leinster House to attend Cheltenham!
The number of homeless people on our streets is increasing at an alarming rate. The Simon Community has publicised this fact recently. A Fianna Fáil/PD Cabinet decided to roll back provisions for affordable housing in private developments. This decision was particularly tough on young people who are being priced out of the market.
Dermot Ahern's statement that "our prosperity" depends on these tough decisions raises a question in my mind. Who is the Minister talking for?
I believe that when he spoke of "our prosperity" he was not speaking to the ordinary population of the State. He was talking to those people in society he holds dearest - the rich, the developers and the multinational companies. - Is mise,
THOMAS SHARKEY, Ballinurd, Dundalk, Co Louth.