Yes, Minister, we have descended into farce

SADLY, programs such as Prime Time and the Frontline are both descending to the level of Yes, Minister.

Earlier this week (by an amazing coincidence), they both concentrated on cigarette smuggling. What a farce. This government increases taxes to prop up their fantasy world until the price is rejected by intelligent people.

Then they want to buy somewhere sensible and people will supply that need. The government will quickly make laws to maintain their fantasy world, thus creating more criminals. Then they employ people (paid for by extorting even more taxes) as anti-smuggling agents and anti-gang agents of one sort or another. More millions down the drain as they all pretend to be doing something useful. I do not recall either program addressing the issue of the fact that cigarette smuggling was and is entirely the fault of incompetent, thieving government.

Richard D. Barton

Kevin Street

Tinahely, Co Wicklow