Sir, - My first three purchases in euroland were as follows:
A visit to the cinema: £8 to €12, up €1.84. My local pub: £3 to €4, up 19 cent! A restaurant: £50 to €65, up €1.51.
If such increases are consistent across the retail spectrum, which I suspect they are, increases in social welfare and tax concessions in the last Budget have been cancelled out well before they become effective. This will damage any prospect of another PPF agreement. Our tourist business for 2002, already threatened after September 11th, will further suffer.
Short-term exploitation and greed is long-term stupidity and it vitiates any attempt to create a just and fair society. We do not have a Government willing to govern. As consumers we are vulnerable in the climate created by a change of currency. Tom Kitt should hang his head in shame. I will not be voting Fianna Fáil in the general election. - Yours, etc.
B. NEWMAN,
Greenfields,
Limerick.