Sir, - Mary Harney's recent remarks about the left in Irish society do not stand up to serious examination. The recent Budget shows exactly where the Progressive Democrats stand on the issue of social justice and the redistribution of income.
The facts speak for themselves. Double-income families earning £40,000 a year will soon be £81 a week better off. Double-income families earning £15,000 a year will be £31 a week better off. Extra benefits for the well-off cost £520 million in this Budget. By contrast, services to people with disabilities, drugs and cancer amount to £56.5 million - not much more than a tenth of the amount being spent on relief for the well-off. The "haves" in Ireland earn five times as much as the "have-nots". Some 25 per cent of children live below the poverty line.
This Budget has increased divisions in Irish society. I know it's not trendy to be on the left any more but, at least take an objective view at the real issues.
In Mary Harney's "just society" 723 people were brought to court on charges of abusing the social welfare system. Three people faced charges of tax evasion. The tax-evaders deprived the state of £1.2 billion. There is still no serious effort to track them down. Meanwhile, 600 investigators work in the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs checking people on welfare - a classic example of one system for the underprivileged and another for the well-off.
Ms Harney should wake up to the reality that we have a long way to go for social justice. - Yours, etc.,
Cllr Finian McGrath, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9.