DENIS O'DONOGHUE,
Madam, - The demand for the return of university fees is gathering momentum. The Government steamroller is coming round the bend and once again the middle-income worker lies helpless in its path.
You claim in your Editorial of December 10th that Mr Dempsey wishes to help the disadvantaged. Why did his Government not do this at the height of our Celtic Tiger prosperity?
It seems to me that he is simply obeying Cut-back Charlie McCreevy's instruction to live within his budget.
You support a system of loans to be paid back when the graduate reaches a certain income level. You forget, of course, that not all graduates become higher professionals, that this is Ireland, not Australia, and we have a problem with establishing the real incomes of the wealthy.
If we can justify bargain-basement corporation tax rates and zero tax for millionaire bloodstock breeders in recognition of their contribution to growth in our economy, why can we not recognise the contribution of our "young, educated workforce"? We boast about it often enough.
If Government leaders want a high-minded crusade on behalf of the disadvantaged, let them shake down the corporate big boys. Leave the kids alone! - Yours, etc.,
DENIS O'DONOGHUE, Countess Grove, Killarney, Co Kerry.