Public representatives must take responsibility

We are citizens of a republic. The new Dáil would need to be aware of what public representation is, and what it cannot mean.

They have to form a government for citizens of this republic, not for sectional interests.

Currently, we spend yearly about €7 billion to service the national debt. €6.98 billion in 2015, 15.3% of exchequer tax revenue in 2015, and the payment was €7.47 billion in 2014, or 18.1% of tax revenue.

In 2013, at 19.4%, it was close to €2 out of every €10 of revenue collected that year. We have spent €35.5bn to service the national debt since 2010.

Beside that major consideration, citizens and families struggle under severe personal debt burdens.

More than 6,000 are homeless and increasing. At least 37,000 homes are down for repossession and eviction. There are liable to be many more thousands put out of their homes. In addition, there are at least 92,000 private mortgages in serious trouble.

Public representatives have a responsibility to fellow citizens that cannot be taken lightly.

Tom Ryan

The Forts

Dún Bleísce

Co Limerick