Madam, - Leo Varadkar TD writes on his website about "how fortunate I am to live in a country with a temperate climate, fertile land, functioning institutions, a productive economy, reasonably well-run public services and politicians who, despite their many flaws, are motivated more by patriotism and community than by self-interest" (www.leovaradkar.ie).
I'm sure Mr Varadkar's father thought exactly the same when he made Ireland his home.
Of all the nations on this earth, who are we to deny a welcome and a home to those who wish to come here? Yet this TD would send them home, no longer needed, no longer wanted, with a lump sum to keep them quiet. - Yours, etc,
KEVIN CURRAN,
Oakmount Tower,
Blarney,
Co Cork.
Madam, - Thomas Byrne TD has condemned the proposal by Leo Varadkar TD to offer lump sum payments to foreigners claiming unemployed benefit here to return home. It is clear that Thomas Byrne is being sensationalist because he does not make it clear what he finds to be so objectionable about this.
He said it represented "a new low" in Irish politics. It does not. Politicians receiving undeclared cash gifts while in office is worse than that. This lump sum offer would be voluntary. It would give people surviving on unemployment benefit a new option, possibly the chance of a new start. If they took up the offer, as many have in Spain, that would be proof it was a welcome break.
The Irish Exchequer is going through a rough time, so we have to be imaginative in finding ways of saving money. Although something might look "dangerous", people like Thomas Byrne should resist the temptation to grab headlines and instead do some homework and try to make a real contribution. - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL BERMINGHAM,
Spafield Terrace,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4.