Madam, - Your Editorial on Charlie McCreevy was mealy mouthed and small-minded. Referring to the achievements which even his detractors allow him, you use phrases such as " he had a huge impact" and "he presided over".
You point out that he was the Progressive Democrats' best friend, as if this is something to be ashamed of.
By his actions rather than words, he has got most of us to throw away the begging bowl and take responsibility for our own existence.
Since his and Mary Harney's policies began to bear fruit, many thousands of Irish people who otherwise would now be living in Boston or Birmingham have been able to secure employment and buy their homes and start their families here in Ireland.
For the first time that I remember, everyone who is born here has a reasonable chance of making their livelihood here, and it is because in Charlie McCreevy and Mary Harney we have had the most courageous and capable Ministers for Finance and Enterprise we have ever had.
He deserves better. - Yours, etc.
KEVIN COOPER, Forest Avenue, Kingswood Heights, Dublin 24.
Madam, - I for one will be delighted to see the end of Mr McCreevy, because of the following:
1. He has squandered the greatest economic growth this country has ever had.
2. Increased health spending from €4 billion to €10 billion, the entire yield in income tax revenue, without any reforms or improvement to the health service.
3. Spent €80 million on Punchestown in his own constituency and not following the correct procedure.
4. Allowed benchmarking that will cost the taxpayer at least €1,000 per year.
5. Introduced the SSIA scheme that will take from the poor and give to the rich.
6. Instead of paying money off the national debt and saving money in the debt servicing, borrowed €2 billion last year.
7. Agreed to sell Eircom well under the value, and also lost Eircom shareholders a substantial amount of money.
8. Agreed to settlement with the religious orders involved in child abuse to a ceiling of €130 million without an audit being carried out on their ability to pay more.
9. Embarked on a decentralisation programme without any proper research or planning.
The Irish taxpayer will be paying for this man's mistakes for years and years to come. - Yours, etc.,
NOEL PEERS, Warrenhouse Road, Baldoyle, Dublin 13.