Madam, - I read with dismay the news that Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea recently flew to Texas to meet Mr Michael Dell. The purpose of their visit was apparently to plead with Mr Dell not to cut jobs at his plant in Limerick.
It simply beggars belief that two of our most senior politicians have behaved in such an obsequious fashion. I believe this pathetic display shows all the signs of a national inferiority complex and potentially makes a laughing stock of this country.
Most disturbingly of all, it would appear that the Ministers in question feel we should be proud of their apparent grovelling on our behalf. Minister O'Dea presumably feels this type of behaviour will go down well with his constituents. The sad fact is that it probably will, at the expense of our national dignity. God help us. - Yours, etc,
Dr RUAIRI HANLEY,
Francis Street,
Drogheda,
Co Louth.