Sir, - I am at a loss to understand your vehement opposition to the remarks made by Ivor Callely. You describe his remarks as "crude populism". You also contrast them with the position outlined by Ms Liz O'Donnell, whose statements you describe as being based on "enlightened principles".
I am amazed that a newspaper aspiring to a liberal outlook should dismiss so summarily opinions unfavourable to its own as mere "crude populism" - all this based solely on its own subjective opinion or preference, as if such an opinion were infallible.
Balanced journalism, it seems to me, should eschew denunciatory language coloured by such moral overtones. It requires a more even-handed and discriminating judgment when dealing with opinions contrary to those of the editor.
I found Mr Callely's remarks refreshingly free of ideological bias (whether liberal, or left). They had the no-nonsense ring of honest truthfulness and basic common sense about them. Now that I express sympathy for such views, I wonder with what denunciatory terms I am to be dismissed by The Irish Times. - Yours, etc.,
Thomas P. Walsh, Fassaugh Road, Cabra, Dublin.