Where SF proposes to make up the numbers

IN RESPONSE to your lead story, ‘Sinn Féin economic policies to cost €5bn more a year’ (Irish Examiner, July 12), the situation is not as bad as your political editor, Harry McGee, implies.

If you consider that Sinn Fein’s proposed expenditure on health, housing and education would come at the expense of projects like spires, stadia and trams, then the tax increases necessary wouldn’t be as high as reported.

The Government has spent billions on unnecessary programmes and projects instead of those that Sinn Fein wishes to improve - areas that have been ignored for far too long.

Our current situation in relation to health, education and housing is obscene for a country that’s supposed to care for its people. To achieve real improvements in these areas tax increases will probably be necessary, although these would not be as high if serious cuts in unnecessary government spending are implemented.

Tom O’Leary

Fair Green

Dromore West

Co Sligo