Sir, There is a solution to the problem of crime and violence in Irish society.
I lived in India for six years, two of which were spent living among the poor, and it was remarkable to note the low incidence of violence in situations where one would feel it would be understandable. While we would consider the rigid stratification of their society unacceptable, it, is a system that allocates a position and a function for all members of society. No one, however lowly their position, is rendered impotent. Furthermore, neither children nor the aged are exempt from contributing to the welfare of the group.
I suggest that welfare, as it is presently conceived in the West, serves only to further marginalise frailer members of our society. We must cease rewarding the impotent inactivity which drives people to boredom, frustration and ultimately to violence.
Welfare offices should be "Facilitation Centres", places to encourage and enable creative initiatives. Human dignity rests on competence and contribution.
I hope the Irish will be the first among the wealthier nations to demand an end to institutionalised marginalisation. Hopefully, those among us who are angry to the point of proposing the "Singapore Solution" will revise their understandable emotional gut reaction to vehemently demand a more humane and creative solution to this problem. We cannot continue to support the laziness, the atrophy of those in power who must now make the decisions, however radical and complex, to revise our disastrously inappropriate welfare system.
Yours, etc., Grove Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.