Madam, - Have your Editorial writers taken on the role of leading the Opposition? The Editorial of May 23rd was more akin to a Fine Gael or Labour party political broadcast than an opinion piece in the so-called paper of record. Is the Opposition so weak that the fourth estate has now taken on the role of helping it challenge the Government of the day?
The portrayal of decentralisation as "counter to common sense" is disingenuous and panders to a Dublin readership. Decentralisation has been welcomed by public officials and elected representatives of all hues domiciled outside the M50. Both the 2002 Fianna Fáil manifesto and the Agreed Programme for Government contained commitments to a programme of decentralisation. If there is a complaint, it is that this radical initiative has not been rolled out as quickly as many of us would have liked.
I am proud that my fellow Corkman Micheál Martin took the boldest decision in recent years in relation to public health. The smoking ban was a courageous and responsible initiative which has shown us to be leaders in Europe.
As for the reference to a "spending splurge", I would remind you that this Fianna Fáil-led Government is engaged in the most comprehensive investment in infrastructure and social services in the history of the State. Because of years of under-investment in the health and education sector throughout the 1980s and 1990s, a major capital and current spending programme was initiated in 1997 when Fianna Fáil was elected to government.
It is a tad ironic to criticise this Government for runaway spending when opinion writers in this paper lacerated Charlie McCreevy for playing Scrooge with the public finances.
By any standards, the creation of 1,000-plus jobs a week and an average growth rate of 5 per cent is a staggering achievement. We now have the highest minimum wage in the EU. By the end of this Government's term pensioners will receive €200 a week.
For those who are experiencing the benefits of a secure job and the relative security of an assured State pension, it is surely a case of more than a little done. - Yours, etc,
BILLY KELLEHER TD,
Dáil Éireann,
Dublin 2.