Sir, - Mr Frank Magee, chief executive of Dublin Tourism, cites the two main obstacles to the city's tourism boom as being "the proliferation of beggars and people sleeping in the street in broad daylight and litter" (The Irish Times, January 12th).
In this assertion Mr Magee presents the view that economic prosperity should supersede the rights of homeless people to be present on our streets. His very use of language reflects this fact insofar as he refers to such people as "beggars and people on the street" in the same breath as the problem of litter. One wonders if Mr Magee really believes people actually want to lie on mattresses in the street. Moving people on because they are an embarrassment or a threat to economic prosperity is not the answer.
The issue of homelessness has its basis in a myriad of social problems. Focus Ireland points out that many of those on the streets are under 25. A recent study indicates that a very high proportion of those who end up homeless have been in care and are unable to adapt to independent living. Other suffer alcohol or drug dependency. Most come from socially deprived backgrounds.
Mr Magee appears to be suggesting that to banish the problem is to make it disappear. Homelessness needs to be understood and relevant policy formulated for its alleviation. -Yours, etc., Niamh Bermingham,
North Frederick Street,
Dublin 1.