Sir, - It is a "thundering disgrace" to hear TDs from all sides distancing themselves from Mary Harney's initiative regarding the unemployed.
While I totally accept that the unemployed require support and assistance from the State and should receive it, the taxpayer is, in fact, the payer and is entitled to believe that every effort will be made by an unemployed person to take up any available employment, in order to reduce the burden on the rest of us.
At the moment, signs such as "waitress required", "assistant wanted", etc., can be seen everywhere, and small business employers complain that people are unwilling to take jobs that are on offer. People supposedly on the dole are able to run cars and spend money beyond their evident means.
By all means, let us help those who really require it, but the tax burden is hefty enough without helping to maintain those for whom such help is not necessary. Surely it is time for the wimps we voted in to take a stance on this issue. - Yours, etc., S. W. Wardell,
Bellewstown,
Co Meath.