Madam, - Jim O'Sullivan (January 29th) misses the point regarding the Tánaiste's remarks on ageing.
My interpretation of her views is that she is lamenting the fact that some people in Irish society have grown greedy and are abandoning elderly relations, yet queuing up to inherit their assets. In this context, she is asking if it is right for other taxpayers to have to pick up the bill.
This question is as much about values, decency and fairness, as it is about economics - and Mary Harney was right to ask it. So how does this amount to what Jim O'Sullivan calls a "greed-is-good philosophy"?
Fair play to Mary Harney for putting the issue on the agenda. - Yours, etc.,
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JASON O'MAHONY, Coppinger Glade, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.