Sir, – Further to recent correspondence relating to Fintan O’Toole’s “Trashing the concept of a public service” (Opinion & Analysis, July 8th), it is disingenuous to blame Irish protest groups for the privatisation of our public services.
The neo-liberal ideology which has come increasingly to dominate global sociopolitical and economic affairs since the 1970s is hostile to the very concept of a collective, public sphere. In this cynical system, no human activity has any value if it cannot be counted, measured and traded, bought and sold on the “free” market to generate profit. But the monetarisation of all aspects of human life does not “add value” – it ultimately debases us all. – Yours, etc,
MAEVE HALPIN,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – Cllr Brid Smith (July 10th) ignores the fact that for well over 100 years people did in fact pay for local services. The payments were called domestic rates.
Every single idea, suggestion or proposal to raise taxes or charges to pay for public services in this State is opposed by the only “left” in the world that opposes taxation. – Yours, etc,
Cllr DERMOT LACEY,
Beech Hill Drive,
Donnybrook,
Dublin 4.