Sean Quinn is no dole layabout
Monday November 09 2009
What a mindless article. How can you compare Sean Quinn to people on the dole? (Review, Irish Independent, November 7).
I sincerely doubt that Sean Quinn ever puts on a tracksuit and sits in front of a large flat screen satellite TV. In fact, I doubt he even owns a tracksuit or a satellite subscription. Fourteen-hour days, six days a week, rarely allow time for such luxuries.
Neither does the seven-day stress of operating the mechanics to provide employment for thousands.
I understand he has created over 5,000 jobs in Ireland alone. That's a lot of tax revenue generated which, ironically, goes to paying unemployment and other benefits for citizens -- benefit amounts which are amongst the highest in the world.
The man deserves to have his praises sung daily. It really is worth taking a drive to Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, to see the sheer scale of industry that he is responsible for. Talk to the locals and hear them call him a saint.
Grow up, Ireland. Rapidly. Stop vilifying your very few entrepreneurs and sanctifying those who are on the dole.
What if Mr Quinn and his family grow tired of the witch-hunt and pull the plug? You'll have killed the goose that lays the golden egg and, horror of horrors, the amount paid to those on the dole every week would have to fall due to the loss of all that tax.
What a shame that John F Kennedy's words are lost on the Irish psyche: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country".
Thank God they are not lost on Sean Quinn. Long may his spirit hold up and let's all collectively hope and pray that his business is supported, prospers and employment grows. Maybe then we can all get off the dole and switch off daytime TV.
G Barnes
Harrow, UK
Irish Independent
