ELAINE O'CALLAGHAN,
Madam, - The front page of Thurday's edition carried a report on health cuts that will probably result in patient deaths. Over the page, and the Government's aircraft purchase plans were outlined.
Why are we so tolerant? Why are we not all our marching in protest? We are an intelligent nation, supposedly. - Yours, etc.,
ELAINE O'CALLAGHAN, Chelmsford Road, Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.
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Madam, - It is not the planned purchase of a new jet that annoys me, but the calculating way that the Government has gone about it. Every little breakdown and irregularity concerning the current plane was highlighted to make us believe that it needed to be replaced. Yet now I hear that this supposedly old and useless jet is to be retained so the Government can have two jets at its disposal.
The Government believes everything will be forgotten by the SSIA-rich voters of 2007. Yet I have a terrible feeling of being conned, which will last a lot longer than this Government thinks. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID GARRAHY, Riverfied House, Doolin, Co Clare.
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Madam, - In an attempt to justify the new government jet, Mr Michael Smith informed us on Morning Ireland this week that "little entrepreneurs in Donegal have their own jet". Perhaps he might also be aware that hundreds of little children all over the country don't have their own classrooms! - Yours, etc.,
TOMÁS KEEGAN, Killynann, Gorey, Co Wexford.
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Madam, - I find it very annoying that the usual gaggle of TDs who like nothing better than a self-serving row about an expensive purchase are getting too much air time and ear time. I am no fan of Fianna Fáil - or any other party for that matter - but I do recognise the need to represent ourselves in a professional and capable manner abroad. Every year there are several Government trade missions on which this country depends for deals in existing and emerging markets. It is essential that we maintain our profile in these markets and raise it when at all possible.
This issue is a silly distraction at a time when the Dáil needs to be addressing a more pressing issue. So please, will all the little yapping, ankle-snapping TDs refrain from the bickering and work together like grown-ups to deal with something we are all truly concerned with: war. - Yours, etc.,
SHANE Ó MEARÁIN, Fitzwilliam Quay, Ringsend, Dublin 4.