Madam, - As they used to say down Waterford way years ago: "I wonder what ails your man Drapier these days?" Gone is the wit, erudition and insight that once made it a pleasure to prop his column against the jar of marmalade on Saturday mornings while sipping a reviving cup of coffee. Instead, we are increasingly subjected to bouts of grumpiness, ill-humour and downright rudeness.
The nadir of this recent disturbing trend was reached in his column of February 28th on the Dáil debate on the status of Irish in the European Union.
He refers to the passing of a Dáil motion on the matter as "carry-on to keep the Gaeilgeoirs [sic] happy"'. I would have thought that a TD - or even an Irish Times sub-editor - would have known that the less offensive plural is Gaeilgeoirí.
Thankfully, Drapier concedes that "the Gaeilgeoirs are not entirely stupid", though such an endorsement from that quarter is perhaps akin to being acquitted of smuggling by a Dundalk jury in times past.
If it is Drapier's experience that Gaeilgeoirí are not much given to happiness, he probably needs to get out of Leinster House a bit more.
Maybe he should turn off the House's closed-circuit monitors more often and catch up on the hip, joyous and young culture of a TV station like TG4. Either that, or give up his oul' seat and get a life. - Yours, etc.,
LIAM CAHILL,
Clowanstown,
Co Meath.