Minister Brian Lend-a-hand is not our solution to leadership and recovery. He has offered the government hand of political and financial protection, through massive borrowing, to bankers, builders and developers – all those who ate and drank in the FF Galway Races tent. Party friends heading up useless quangos are still on the payroll, tax incentives are still in place and civil servants keep their outrageous bonuses. Union wages cannot be touched for years, with no changes in job structures forthcoming. Those with little income are having medical-care monies taken away. Thirty-five-thousand of Ireland's brightest and best have left. Tradesmen who have a work ethic are going or gone. Those who can't leave are happy being on the dole.

Have a nice day.

Gerald Rolf

5 Larkhill Road

Sligo, Co Sligo