Madam, - Thanks to The Irish Times for publicising the Ombudsman's address to the Ceifin conference in which Ms Emily O'Reilly spoke at length for the unbridled materialism and the moral poverty of modern Ireland.
Her views were echoed by President McAleese a few days later in her inauguration address.
I would appeal to those of your readers who have not done so to read and study the Ombudsman's address. It is encouraging that you, Madam, agree that a forthright debate is needed on the issues under review (Editorial, November 12th).
So let the debate begin. Not, may I say with all due respect to The Irish Times, on your Letters page, nor on a radio or television chat show. The grave problems confronting modern Ireland merit serious discussion by a national forum whose membership would consist primarily of citizens whose unselfish and practical interest in the betterment of peoples lives is well proven - people like John Lonergan, Sister Consilio, Peter McVerry, Alice Leahy, Father Harry Bohan, come to mind.
The Ombudsman, Ms Emily O'Reilly, to whom we should be indebted for her watershed speech, would hopefully play a key role at this forum which would undoubtedly have the full support of President McAleese.
Man does not live on bread alone. - Yours, etc.,
ALF RHATIGAN, Mountainview Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.