Sir, - Steve McFarlene (September 28th), responding to my question about beggars, says I and everyone else are responsible for the beggars in our streets.
I agree we are all responsible. That is why nearly half my hard-earned salary goes in taxes to provide for people in trouble. And yes, I do my bit for Simon and other aid organisations and I think it a bit presumptuous of Mr McFarlane to assume I do not help out. Like most Irish people I am quite generous with my time and money.
I did talk to the offices of the Ministers for Justice, Social Community and Family Affairs and Environment and they all passed the buck. That is why I wrote to The Irish Times.
So I ask again: Why the huge increase in begging? Surely Mr McFarlane does not think it does people any good at all to lose their dignity in such a public and humiliating way. Not to mention what it does to people like me who cringe with horror at the babies and children being used (or abused) and the physical deformities being displayed to play on our heartstrings. All it does for me, anyway, is make me angry.
But who am I meant to be angry with? So I end again with the question: Who is the Minister for beggars? Who do I hold responsible? - Yours, etc.,
Esther Steele, Saul Road, Dublin 12.