Sir, - Tadgh Kearney (August 13th) refers to Garret FitzGerald and "the failed high-tax policies of the 1980s to which his government contributed so much".
The government to which he refers was concerned mainly with trying to correct the high inflation, massive budget deficits and massive adverse trade balances caused by the mismanagement of the economy by the Fianna Fβil government of 1977-81. There was overspending by Mr Lynch to fulfil the promises made to get elected in 1977 and overspending by Mr Haughey to try to ensure re-election in 1980-81.
Dr FitzGerald's success was limited. The Labour TDs in spending ministries were reluctant to back spending cuts and the Fianna Fβil Opposition, riding high in the opinion polls, was still advocating high spending.
It was Alan Dukes's "Tallaght Strategy" which finally allowed, or perhaps forced, the Fianna Fβil minority government of 1987 to see sense and bring spending under control. - Yours, etc.,
Tom Ryan, Dunmore Road, Waterford.