Wrong answer

ONE of the most depressing things about the current crisis is that, no matter what the problem, there are always people ready to trumpet the wrong solution.

Even worse, they seem to have a lot of followers and the media gives them space.

One person was on the radio lately saying the solution to drunkenness was to raise alcohol prices.

We are already the most expensive country in Europe (which is part of why the tourist trade is also collapsing — thank you again, Bertie and Brian).

All the countries with cheaper alcohol do not have more drunkenness. The fact is people without hope drink more and gamble more.

Perhaps those like that lady on the radio would like to raise the price of gambling as well? Perhaps she would like to introduce prohibition. Then we could have backstreet gambling dens and organised crime making poitín.

Maybe we could have a 6pm curfew to cut down on road accidents?

I must mind my blood pressure.

Dick Barton

Kevin Street

Tinahely

Co Wicklow