Madam, - The letter from Seamus Healy TD (September 21st) was as interesting and quixotic a piece of analysis as I have ever read. He suggests that as there is growing opposition to neo-liberal economic policies in Europe as shown by the recent German poll, rejection of the EU Services Directive and of the EU Constitution in France and Holland and that we in Ireland now need an alliance of the left to oppose such policies in Ireland.
In other words we need someone to champion in Ireland the failed economic policies which have led to 25 per cent unemployment among young people in France and economic stagnation in Germany, Europe's largest economy. Mr Healy further condemns the Government for having the temerity to create the economic conditions to allow us to make a massive investment in infrastructure from taxation revenues rather than borrowing.
I would not characterise the policies of the current Government as neo-liberal. Rather, the policies of the Government are pragmatic and sensible and have led to a situation where, for the first time in our history, we have the resources to tackle deep-seated social problems, and we are doing so. This Government is making major investments in health and education.
However, unlike Mr Healy, I do not believe that money alone will solve the challenges we face in health. We need fundamental reform in the way the health services are managed and delivered if we are to create a world-class health system.
On the same day that Mr Healy's letter appeared, your front page reported that the president of the European Central Bank, Jean Claude Trichet, had showcased Ireland as an exemplary model of growth for other European countries. The last thing we need is to take lessons from the failed economic policies of other states.
I would not underestimate the challenges we face in health or education, but I suggest that if we have the intelligence to solve our economic problems (which only a few years ago seemed insurmountable) we have what it takes to meet the challenge in health without having to copy our neighbours' approach.
As for Labour's choice of coalition partners, why not Fianna Fáil, with which the party shares far more in common than with Fine Gael - or, for that matter, Seamus Healy? - Yours, etc,
EOIN RYAN TD, MEP, Leinster House, Dublin 2.