Bold gestures not needed

I am disappointed, but not surprised, at the tone and content of your recent editorial (Irish Examiner, October 15).

Of all the criticisms that might be levelled at the budget, yours is perhaps the least credible. That the budget lacked a headline-grabbing “bold gesture” is, to my mind, rather a measure of its true merit.

Too often, in the not too distant past, we have been treated to such false promises, only to pay an inordinate price for allowing ourselves to be seduced by their transient allure.

Indeed, you yourself refer to one such egregious example, from the budget of 1978. Those of us of a certain vintage well remember the dire consequences visited upon the people as a result of that foolishness.

J Kelleher

Ovens

Co Cork