Sir, – Ahead of the Government’s budget announcement, can we refute the notion that all taxpayers want to pay less tax?
Reductions may seem like the politically savvy thing to do, but many voters would be more than happy to forgo some of life’s “wants”, to live in a society where everyone has a roof over their head, and access to a healthcare system that can treat sick people in a timely fashion. – Yours, etc,
NIALL MURPHY
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – I have heard reports that the Government is considering an increase of between €3 and €5 to the State pension in the next budget. This an insult and a bloody disgrace.
– Yours, etc,
HUGH MULLAN,
Strandhill,
Co Sligo.
Sir, – As a recipient of the travel pass, I appreciate the benefit of being able to travel free throughout the country.
Conscious of how difficult the coming months, and years, will be in managing our national finances, I feel that we, beneficiaries of this facility, could contribute a small annual fee of, say, €20 to the national purse for the travel pass card.
This fee, of, course, would be strictly conditional on an agreed fixed rate applying for a minimum period of 10 years.
Whilst some may not be able to afford this cost, I feel many of pensionable age would be happy to contribute.
– Yours, etc,
ANGELA GANTER,
Kells, Co Meath.
Sir, – If spending decisions loom for Government then surely an imperative exists to make a decision to examine the approximately €5 billion spent annually on the non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector
– Yours, etc,
CHRISTIAN MORRIS,
Howth, Dublin 13.
Sir, – I write in reference to this morning’s Inside Politics Newsletter – I will not “spare a thought for the two Ministers in charge of the purse strings” as your reporter instructs, rather I will despair for my fellow citizens who have to suffer through their decisions.
– Is mise,
COLM DOYLE,
Dublin 7.
A chara, – I read somewhere that pensioners don’t need a rise in the next budget because most of them own their own properties.
After almost 15 years on the housing list my wife and I finally got an apartment after paying exorbitant rents for years.
I have recently become a pensioner. – Yours, etc,
DEREK HENRY CARR,
Dublin 1.