Our money is best spent at home, not abroad

The words ‘with respect’ and ‘everybody has a right to their own opinion’ always muffle the sound of serious anger, as they did in Colm Shevlin’s letter (Jun 8).

Firstly, the expression ‘charity begins at home’ was explained fully in Prof Alan Fowler’s book The Hot Money Theory. It is quite irrefutable that the closer the donor is to the recipient the more efficient — by far — is the use of the money.

Secondly, he is clearly suggesting, almost demanding, that the poor of Ireland be reduced to the level of the poorest in the world before we should pay them serious attention.!

Thirdly, the Bangladeshi government currently spends about €800m on defence, much of it secret and due for an 11% rise if they can get it. Either Mr Shevlin does not understand where money actually comes from or he seriously expects the poor taxpayer of Ireland to dig very deep into their little remaining money to support some total strangers in another country whose own government won’t support them.

Our health system is indeed a shambles, as Mr Sullivan said in his letter. Probably their health system is also.

However, with respect and own opinions, etc, the solution is absolutely not to put millions of our hard-earned euro in an envelope to some total strangers.

Richard D Barton

Tinahely

Co Wicklow