Madam, - As one who has been living on pension since 1993 it is frustrating in the extreme to hear yet another Government minister, namely Brian Lenihan on radio this morning, (December 3rd) berating us because "we are living beyond our means", when the truth is that "SOME are living beyond their means".
Instead of complaining ad nauseam that "we aren't taking this downturn seriously and cuts must be made" we might more usefully be informed where economies should be made - that is, if they have any such ideas.
Meanwhile, initial attempts to economise at the expense of the health of the elderly and the teaching of science at secondary level are obvious non-starters. Failure to come up with any better ideas should result in the present Government admitting an inability to govern. - Yours, etc,
Madam, - On Morning Irelandtoday (December 3rd), Brian Lenihan announced that we are living beyond our means.
Eureka! Finally, the penny has dropped with the Minister for Finance.
Now for the next step, but I won't be holding my breath. - Yours, etc,
Madam, - Mr Lenihan's recent statements about shoppers going North are the type of "guilt trip" comments that one would not expect to hear in modern Ireland .
He is correct, of course, it would be good if Irish shoppers refrained from shopping in Sainsbury and stayed in their local Tesco, MS, Next, Debenhams, etc.
However, Mr Lenihan should not be leading a "guilt trip" charge on the Irish consumer but on the retailers. People are not going North for the differential in currency and VAT, they are going for the greater than 30 per cent differential in branded products that was identified several months ago - long before any currency or VAT changes. - Yours, etc,
Madam, - Last week the Minister for Finance advised the public to spend more of our shrinking income.
This week he wants the State to spend less, by renegotiating the national pay deal, which will make it harder for the public to spend more.
What will he want us to do next week? - Yours, etc,
Madam, - The Government is living beyond our means. - Yours, etc,