Sir, – David McWilliams asks in his column on Saturday, "Where is all the money going?" (Analysis, April 3rd). Only two countries in the EU, Sweden and Germany, spend more on health than Ireland. Germany has 35 intensive-care units (ICU) beds per 100,000 people, Austria has 28 and Ireland has only five. This is a scandal and it has been going on for decades. When will any government address this issue? – Yours, etc,
PHILIP SALTER,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Congratulations to David McWilliams for his article on Covid and emigration, highlighting Ireland’s unique position in the world. How can a country with a smaller older population and a higher health expenditure than most other countries endure the longest lockdown of all, destroying the lives of most of its young and active population in the process? This acute paradox needs clear answers from those responsible for imposing the shameful lockdown we are experiencing. Wake up, Ireland! Yours, etc,
ELIZABETH
MURPHY-LEJEUNE,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.