Sir, – The well-meaning authors of Ireland’s Future seemed to have decided on a conclusion that suited their argument and then dreamt up figures to support it (News, October 1st). It vaguely reminds me of the Leave campaign in the UK.
I look forward to independent economists examining the figures. This report should come with a grave health warning. Unity on these assumptions could bankrupt Ireland, North and South.
It is accepted that Northern Ireland runs an annual deficit of around €10 billion annually.
We should focus on that figure and ask what services in the Republic we are prepared to diminish. Should it be health, social welfare, education, or capital spending? Surely an honest appraisal will identify the cuts.
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The report mentions the charity of others. But from whom and for how long? And then what? It is possible but not at all certain the deficit will reduce over time. But it might grow with an ageing population. What about the costs of reunification? We may get support from abroad, but again, how much and for how long and from whom? It pains me to ask, but is the UK a good guarantor of future funding? Is it a reliable partner? It may be. This report needs to be examined by economists without an agenda. In the meantime, the report should be filed with interesting academic papers. It cannot be relied upon for informed political dialogue until it has been independently reviewed. – Yours, etc,
PADRAIC MURRAY,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.