Sir, - Congratulations to your columnist Fintan O'Toole who, in a recent article drew attention to the well-orchestrated management of news campaign by this Government in relation to finding money to fund the nurses' award. Such concern for taxpayers' money does not seem evident when the employment of spin-doctors, beef tribunals, farmers' subsidies and grants for business have, to be funded.
This is the same Government that intends to introduce regional education boards, yet stubbornly refuses to cost them. In newspaper articles and debates, much has been made of the democratisation by education that would occur with the introduction of these boards. The question has to be asked: will parents and teachers have more input into education: policy, or will the taxpayers of this country simply be footing the bill for an exchange of church control for political control?
Every board of management in the country - and there should be one in every school - would testify that the biggest issue for our schools is that of funding, so that children with special needs would be adequately catered for. Our Leaving Certificate students would also have subject choice.
If Mr Quinn is so concerned with the judicious use of taxpayers' money, he should turn his attention to his Cabinet colleague, Ms Breathnach. He could point out that the regional education boards are just too expensive a smokescreen, which would enable the Minister and the Government to evade responsibility for their decisions and their failure to fund the education system properly.
Mr Quinn might also consider - whether the employment of advisors is a judicious use of taxpayers' money - for the taxpayer that is, as distinct from the Government - Yours, etc.,
Fortfield Road,
Terenure,
Dublin 14.