We can't afford this Guantanamo gesture
Saturday August 01 2009
I am delighted to hear that I am not the only person in this country who thinks that the €430,000 per year which will be spent on protecting the Guantanamo Bay suspects in Ireland is an absolute disgrace, as per Neil McGonigle (Letters, July 31).
Once again, it is an indication of a Government worried about its international reputation instead of unemployment levels and the fact that it is going broke.
This country is in a desperate situation and here, once again, the Government extends the hand of goodwill where there is absolutely no need.
We are a small country with few resources.
If Americans are so worried about the harm that may be done to these individuals, why don't they look after them?
Or at the very least, provide the countries taking them with some form of monetary reimbursement.
Once again, the Irish taxpayer is left to clean up the mess left behind by others.
Again, this week, we are left wondering, do our leaders know the value of the euro, at all? Last week, €151,000 was spent deporting a Ghanaian refugee back to his home country on a specially chartered flight, because he refused to go quietly on a normal flight.
It is time the Government got tough and realised that the good times are over.
Let's start by spending our money wisely, and concentrating on saving what little remains of our economy, rather than pandering to the desires of those who contribute nothing to us.
Anthony Power
Ballinlough Road, Cork
Our esteemed Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has agreed to accept two detainees from the Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre at a cost to the Irish taxpayer of €430,000 per year and claims that this act of generosity will "boost relations" with US President Barack Obama.
This country cannot afford this act of deference at a time when we are cutting back on expenditure on essential services.
Before we know it these former detainees will be joined by their families, incurring more expense on our tax system.
It is about time we got our priorities right and looked after our own first.
Jimmy Rafter
Hill of Tara, co meath
