Sir, - Cllr Tim O'Malley's March 14th letter concludes with the claim that "the Progressive Democrats' record on social justice is second to none". To support this conclusion he tells us that "great advances" have been made for social justice by record-breaking new jobs, an end to emigration, an increase in the old-age pension from £78 per week in 1997 to £106 now, and a doubling in health spending.
So, in the past four years, the old-age pensioners received a £28 a week increase. Nevertheless, while this is a 36 per cent increase, it is still merely a marginal improvement. A £106 a week pension is hardly a great advance. If health spending has indeed doubled, why are we still stuck with a dysfunctional healthcare system? Is it not the case that the present method of delivering healthcare is simply not viable, that the Government is just pouring more money into a failed system? It is time to consider a whole new approach to healthcare delivery. Why don't we take a closer look at other countries - such as France, for example - where the people are provided with decent healthcare?
Mr O'Malley refers to "the so-called caring society forced upon the Russians, the North Koreans and the East Germans with disastrous effects". This is a right-wing red herring calculated to polarise the argument. Why not choose countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Denmark and Sweden, which actually do exemplify social democracy? Cllr Jim D'Arcy (March 27th) challenged Mr O'Malley with a timely suggestion: "The provision of a universal health system is the great added value which can be gained from our present economic boom. We may not get the chance again for some time." Mr D'Arcy has got it right.
Ms Harney was, of course, correct in saying that we are closer to Boston than Berlin. But sadly, she was boasting, not apologising. - Yours, etc.,
Myles Crowe, Old Brewery Lane, Clonakilty, West Cork.