Where’s the fairness?

I WISH to congratulate you on your excellent editorial (‘Poverty far from being history’, June 19)).

As you so rightly say, fairness must be the cornerstone of all our efforts to achieve economic renewal.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan informed us when introducing the emergency budget in April that “those who have the most must give most”.

Yet the Government is targeting public bodies which monitor and raise public awareness of those who have the least.

The Combat Poverty Agency has been silenced even though poverty is getting worse. The arrogant attitude of the Government is inexplicable. Mr Linehan backed down in his promise to stop pensions for ex-ministers still in the Oireachtas.

“We must lead by example,” he told us. Now its a case of do as I say not as I do. Office before honour is the new password for this government.

Máire Bean Uí Corcoráin

Fountainstown

Co Cork