Madam, – The revelation of a pay increase for hospital doctors by Dr John Barton (July 22nd) together with Fintan O’Toole’s analysis of the agenda of the McCarthy report (July 21st), strongly supports Joan Lewis’ call for a revolution (July 22nd). That the self-serving ruling elite needs to be toppled is not in doubt, but this revolution need not be bloody. While we failed to remove the “cute hoors” from power at the last general election, surely the electorate will not be so reticent at the next opportunity? The oppressed can dispose of the oppressor non-violently.
– Yours, etc,
GREG SCANLON, Ballycasey Manor, Shannon, Co Clare.
Madam, – In my work as a professional musician and as chairperson of the Irish Music Rights Organisation, I travel abroad frequently. I’ve often been asked the reasons for Ireland punching above its weight in so many areas of the arts, evidenced by Grammys, Tonys, Oscars, BAFTAs, EMMYs, the Venice Biennale, bestseller lists and Nobel prizes. After explaining that we appear to have great creative abilities, I continue proudly to list the support for the arts that comes from both public and government.
While Irish people are great readers, cinema-goers and attenders of gigs and plays, successive Irish governments have enacted progressive legislation and set up structures that facilitate creativity. The result is a strong arts sector that shows a magnificent return on public investment via employment numbers, tourism and national reputation. If the McCarthy report is followed, watch out for a migration from creativity to the dole, for emigration of the upcoming generation of poets, songwriters, playwrights, filmmakers, novelists and visual artists and for a decrease in cultural tourism.
– Yours, etc,
Keith Donald, IMRO, Pembroke Row, Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.