Madam, - It's very easy to debunk the notion that Ireland has the "highest quality of life in the world". Just take an early morning stroll through some of the most affluent streets of the capital and observe the unfortunate wretches slumbering in the doorways of some of the most fashionable outlets in the city.
Now, I dare say these poor unfortunates have a better standard of living than the mendicants on the streets of Calcutta, but if the homeless and the destitute on the streets of Dublin are enjoying a standard of living that is second to none, well, quite frankly, I'm a banana. - Yours, etc.,
PAUL DELANEY, Beacon Hill, Dalkey, Co Dublin.