Sir, - I would like to echo the thoughts of Patrick O'Beirne (September 26th). I am currently involved with local businesses on the Y2K issue.
Some analysts have painted a doomsday scenario. The Government's reaction so far has been to produce one paltry leaflet. Otherwise, it has washed their hands of the affair. If this was an issue that was affecting farmers, the Government would not get off so lightly because the farming movement is supremely better organised than the business sector. I do not begrudge the farmers their clout; I simply wish that the business community would be more vociferous.
As an absolute minimum the Minister for Finance must allow all expenditure on computer hardware to be tax deductible in the year that it is incurred and not spread out over seven years as is currently the case.
I do not think that the doomsday scenario will unfold, but that will be in spite of the Government's miserly efforts to date. - Yours, etc., Brendan Moran,
Bray, Co Wicklow.