Sir, - The Government's proposal to build a largely unnecessary and unwanted sports stadium in Dublin is a shocking abuse of our national resources.
The recent Prime Time programme on the sub-human living conditions of many residents of St Teresa's Gardens, Dublin, was a forceful reminder that a far more compelling government obligation is to provide decent housing and healthcare for our poorest citizens. A fantastically expensive sports complex - based on dodgy financial estimates and on dubious levels of public support - is a relatively low national priority.
The number of people sleeping on Dublin's streets is already disproportionately high in relation to other nearby European capital cities. With the expectation of hundreds of thousands of extra workers coming to Ireland in the coming decade, it is inevitable that many more vulnerable people will be driven to a brutal survival on our streets. The Government's urgent duty is to invest generously in hostels for the homeless, in cheap public housing and in easily accessible recreational facilities for our marginalised youth.
The Taoiseach should appreciate that financial corruption in our country is not only about political bribery and the systematic abuse of the banking system to avoid taxes. Corruption is also about funding vainglorious luxuries when basic necessities are denied to many of our citizens. Let Mr Ahern's legacy be bread for all of our people and not circuses for a minority! - Yours, etc.,
John Feighery, SVD, City Quay, Dublin 2.