DAITHI DOOLAN,
A chara, - I am writing in response to Kevin Myers's view (An Irishman's Diary, February 21st) that those people recently flooded in the Ringsend-Sandymount area should not be compensated from public funds for their suffering and the damage inflicted on their homes.
I have met people flooded out of their homes and living in temporary accommodation. I have seen at first hand the devastation caused to hundreds of people across the constituency and the hardship they are suffering.
Many of these people either have no insurance or have insurance that does not cover flood damage. This does not make them "mean or foolish", as Mr Myers contends. Not all people can afford insurance or can afford to be covered in every eventuality. Elderly pensioners, the low-paid, people struggling to raise a family on a pittance do not deserve to be punished for being unable to obtain insurance.
We have a proud tradition in Ireland of extending the hand of friendship and support to people who have suffered the effects of natural disasters all around the world. Is it really too much to do the same for the people of Dublin? And if it is, what kind of society are we living in? - Is mise,
DAITHI DOOLAN,
Sinn Féin Dublin South-East,
Pearse Street,
Dublin 2.