Sharing the pain of economic crisis

Madam, – If we are living in a democracy, then it is just that we hold a referendum on whether or not we, the taxpayers, accept…

Madam, – If we are living in a democracy, then it is just that we hold a referendum on whether or not we, the taxpayers, accept Nama. Anything else suggests feudalism. – Yours, etc,

PAUL STUART,

St Brigid’s Terrace,

Wicklow.

Madam, – Simon Carswell (Opinion, July 31st) is correct to point out that we cannot accurately gauge whether the Nama project will succeed since we do not know the likely cost to the taxpayer. There are also two other critical unknowns to citizens regarding this enormous action being taken on their behalf.

First, we do not know what the assets comprise in terms of type and location. Probably many of them occupy hugely strategic locations with significant social and environmental values. Second, we do not know what the Government proposes for these assets: whether to dispose of them, develop them or otherwise. To this end it is a concern that the composition of the board does not require land use planning and development expertise.

I hope that as the Bill is debated the requirement for “expertise and experience at a senior level in the area of planning” will be incorporated into the legislation. – Yours, etc,

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DAVID O’CONNOR,

Lecturer,

School of Spatial Planning,

Dublin Institute of Technology,

Bolton Street,

Dublin 1.

Madam, – Given how we have successfully convinced ourselves we have a long and noble history of fighting against oppression and injustice, isn’t it remarkable that the Irish people have absolutely nothing to say, to their own government, on the setting up of Nama? Through Nama it will use Irish people’s own money to bail out the “golden circle” who have bankrolled Fianna Fáil politicians for the past 30 or so years and in the process been responsible for the worst economic crime ever committed in Ireland.

The anniversary of the founding of Conradh na Gaeilge, about this time in 1893, for the purpose of preserving and promoting the Irish language, highlights yet again that as a nation we have failed to achieve a single one of the aspirations hoped for by those who played a role in building the foundations among which the present Irish State rests.

We must be the only nation who seem unable to understand the link between the sort of politicians we vote for and the reason Ireland is far and away the most corrupt country in Western Europe.

There are other countries whose politicians are worse than the gombeens we elect – but people in those countries didn’t choose those politicians and realistically have no ability to remove them. That is not the case in Ireland, but still the majority of people seem content to do nothing to stop a decision that will cripple the opportunities that ought reasonably be available to their children and grandchildren.

Not to mention their own ability to avail of public services they have already paid for and which a modern European country can provide as standard.

As we get ever nearer to the centenary of 1916, those who were involved in that effort, no matter what side they ended up on, must surely be turning in their graves. – Yours, etc,

DESMOND FitzGERALD,

Canary Wharf,

London, England.

Madam, – Fintan O’Toole’s relish for examining the figures has shown great insight into what is really happening in the increasingly dark tunnels of finance and banking (Opinion, July 28th). Having found €3 billion to solve the shortfall for 2009 and 2010, he should be encouraged to keep looking.

The National Pension Reserve Fund (NPRF) is essentially a contingency fund for the future. Someone, maybe Mr O’Toole, should tell the Government that the future has arrived. Scrap the NPRF for now and put it on the agenda down the road, in 2015 say. – Yours, etc,

SEAMUS BLAKE,

Strand Palace,

Youghal, Co Cork.

Madam, – Looking at the picture on the front page (July 27th) of pilgrims climbing Croagh Patrick, prompts me to ask: Are we not all pilgrims on an uphill climb as we face the future in this deceased Celtic-tiger economy? As we soldier on our journey towards redemption, seeking refuge and solace from the hardships that are now part of our everyday lives, we grieve for the sins of the bankers and government leaders and the church who led us into this desolate terrain.

Sacrifices have been made, our penance has been served. We are one and all seasoned spartan pilgrims. – Yours, etc,

CATHERINE MURRAY,

Bayview Grove,

Killiney,

Co Dublin.