Sir, - I spent three days at Easter fundraising for the local branch of Brainwave, which offers support for sufferers of epilepsy like myself.
I have no doubt that up to now all fundraisers have been prepared to devote time and resources to assist willingly those affected by ill health and poverty in the absence of State help, when we were told that money was scarce. But the recent revelations of Government funding of £60 million for Croke Park and a further investment of £1 billion on a sports stadium particularly when one includes the disastrous state of the health services as outlined in your Editorial (April 14th), gives the impression that Ireland is another world leader - as a banana republic.
The trade union movement quite rightly negotiated an adjustment to the PPF due to the increase in inflation. Given the money due to be invested in the two stadiums I believe there is now an overwhelming case, as in the PPF adjustment, for extra funding for the health service and to properly fund those voluntary organisations whose unselfish work has relieved the State of its responsibilities to the most vulnerable in Society. - Yours, etc.,
Michael Tebay, Cork Road, Waterford.