Madam, - Séamus O'Reilly's letter of October 11th deserves a response.
The vast majority of secondary schools in this country are run under the ethos of one particular religion. I support these through my taxes, though I am not a member of that religion. I am not aware of one secondary school run under any other ethos which is not fee-paying.
By choice, my children were sent to a school which has a different ethos - by necessity, one which is fee-paying. These fees are, of course, in addition to the support given to this school by me through taxation.
I agree that most parents cannot afford to send their children to fee paying schools, however, the vast majority can choose a "free" school which is run under the majority ethos.
For those who, for whatever reasons, feel this is not the best for their offspring, there is no alternative but to pay fees. - Yours, etc,
ANDREW WALLACE, Ballacolla, Abbeyleix, Co Laois.