Madam, – The changes in excise duty on alcohol in the Budget are disturbing, but sadly understandable. Yet, alarmingly, the Budget lacks provision for effective action to counter the inevitable increase in problem drinking which will result.
Many experts were already expressing concern about the increase of home drinking due to the financial downturn. The prospect of reduced alcohol cost without redress measures will ultimately mean a massive increase in alcohol-related problems. Dealing with the consequences is not dealing with the real issue and daily we are reminded of those consequences.
Surely there is an ideal opportunity for prospective educational intervention concerning alcohol intake? Brief intervention at Garda stations, colleges and A E wards would go some way towards at least naming the problem directly with the abuser and giving them the opportunity to take positive action. And what of those trapped within the ripple effects of someone else’s problem drinking? Men, women, and children can suffer for a lifetime from the horrendous negative side effects of a family member’s drinking. They too are frequently left abandoned in alcohol’s trail of destruction, afraid, unheard, and unaided.
There has been enough talk, enough reports, and enough studies. Alcohol-related problems increase in periods of economic downturn. Hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ euro have been spent on projects and policies relating to this issue. We contend that much of this spending is ineffective, and urgent, helpful action is needed. In a time of such a shortage of funds, no less than any other time, it behoves us to review such expenditure and support appropriate, effective action. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The Government has proved that, rather than face its failure to induce sufficient investment in this country to provide Ireland’s youth with jobs, it would prefer that they emigrated. By reducing unemployment payments for those under 25 (who have paid the same rate of PRSI as everyone else) they have once again shown themselves to be short-sighted and utterly incompetent.
Irish people of all ages have grave reason to fear for the future of this country. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – To avoid paying our way, we are borrowing that which will have to be paid back with interest by future generations. And this in a country that claims to be concerned about the rights of the unborn. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The 2010 Budget was extremely one sided, as it excluded general tax increases for the highly paid who retain existing after-tax incomes and additionally benefit from deflation. At the other end of the spectrum, social welfare recipients and lower-paid public sector workers are experiencing cuts on account of the same deflation. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The 2010 Budget will go down in history for many reasons. It has heralded an end to partnership. It has heralded an end to people earning €30,000 and less living with any kind of dignity. My head hangs in shame that the people most in need will go without. The Government will live to regret the decisions made to scapegoat hard-working public servants. – Yours, etc,