Madam, - Context, nuance, exaggeration and colour are important components of speeches by politicians. Charlie Haughey and Enda Kenny may have failed the Vincent Browne important speech test (Opinion, November 10th), but neither Jack Lynch nor the audience at the recent Fine Gael presidential dinner needed an interpreter to get the messages.
Subjecting a performance whose purpose is to conjure up an enthusiastic atmosphere to scientific-style academic word analysis is absurd. Such political speeches are not didactic election manifestos.
I heard the Kenny speech and witnessed its positive effect on my guests, a group of non-party members from Finglas. If Mr Browne had noted the social democratic hue of Mr Kenny's remarks in contrast to John Bruton's contribution, I would have given him an A for observation. As it is, I can only agree with him that he "should be more careful about too hasty dismissals of Burlington Hotel speeches". - Yours, etc.,
Dr BILL TORMEY, Dublin City Councillor (Fine Gael), Glasnevin Avenue, Dublin 11