Madam, - The PDs were formed at a time when unemployment and emigration were the prevalent characteristics of Irish life. Ireland was a conservative state in which homosexuality and particular forms of contraception were illegal. They brought new thinking into Irish politics by arguing for a more liberal economy and a more liberal state.
Nearly all of the PDs' original objectives have been achieved and most of their ideas have been adopted by those who initially scoffed at them.
While it almost became fashionable to loath them, there hasn't been much mood to reverse or repeal what they brought to government. Who wants to remove the Environment Protection Agency or the minimum wage or return to the days when it almost impossible to get a taxi in Dublin at night?
A bit of objectivity wouldn't go amiss. - Yours, etc,
ALEX STAVELEY,
Norseman Court,
Stoneybatter,
Dublin 7.
Madam, - As the PD Oireachtas members met this week on September 16th - the date on which Charles Haughey used to celebrate his birthday - one must wonder what he might be making of it all. - Yours, etc,
BEATRICE CABALL,
Castle Countess,
Tralee,
Co Kerry.