Madam, – I welcome with qualification the Minister for Justice’s plan to outlaw “aggressive begging” in new laws (Home News, January 27th). This practice is used as a cynical guilt-trip, is damaging to tourism, and often intimidating, especially when conducted at bank ATMs. Left unchallenged it also encourages some to see begging as a legitimate career choice.
However, its prohibition should only be part of a balanced plan to tackle persistent poverty and income inequality in Irish society. Anything less is likely to be perceived as heartless in a time of need for many. It’s time to be tough on begging, tough on the causes of begging! – Yours, etc,