Sir, - I read in The Irish Times (October 1st) that AIB and Merrill Lynch banks received £58.2 million from the proceeds of the Telecom Eireann flotation. I also read in the same edition that an elderly couple from Ballinamore, Co Leitrim are on the hospital waiting-lists for surgery for many years. This results in them not being able to see or walk properly.
Maybe it's the way I understand things. Maybe that's the way monetary cookies crumble. Maybe Bertie, Mary, Charlie et al. do not understand the difference between being valuable and being rich. Maybe this so-called Republic is subscribing to a new version of itself which is not primarily interested in the welfare of its citizens.
No wonder the nurses are leading the way. It may be near the time to start re-arranging the furniture of government. If not, let's see some real government by the people for the people - and hear less of this tedious Celtic Tiger and its cockeyed view of what and who matters. - Yours, etc.,
John Gaffney, Fivemilebourne, Co Leitrim.