Sir, - The fact that the current Government continues to hold its rating with the electorate is dispiriting enough. What is truly unbelievable is that 62 per cent of those interviewed for last week's opinion poll thought we lived in a fair society.
This Government has overseen the establishment of a two-tier society which has marginalised a whole section of the population. It has studiously ignored the black holes of long-term unemployment that are scattered across Dublin and the regions. It stands over a health service that is a disgrace, and turns a blind eye to an education system where one in 10 pupils at sixth-level stage can't read or write to an acceptable standard. Meanwhile, over 1,000 young people sleep rough on the streets of the capital.
One wonders if any of the 62 per cent ever set foot outside their own homes, or perhaps live in some fancy parallel universe? But then, the same survey threw up the shameful figure of 2 per cent who thought social welfare benefits should be increased. In a period of economic boom the soul of a society is put to severe tests. We appear to be losing ours. - Yours, etc.,
Desmond Graham, Chairperson, Donnycarney Unemployment Action Group, Collins Avenue East, Dublin 5.