Madam, – Harry McGee’s analysis (Home News, January 24th) of the background to Brian Cowen’s resignation as Fianna Fáil leader contains the following quote: “He [Cowen] rang key officials before 9am. They gathered in Government Buildings and began drafting his script.” The article then listed names of seven individuals who were “included” in this group of “key officials”. Two things occur to me. First, does it really take seven (or maybe even more) officials to draft a simple speech, not to resign as Taoiseach but as party leader? Second, Cowen’s “Kitchen Cabinet” (presumably funded by the hard-pressed taxpayer) is now larger than the other Cabinet, the one stipulated in the Constitution! – Yours, etc,