Madam, - Breda O'Brien rightly criticises the Government for denying workers from the new eastern EU member-states access to social welfare benefits until they can prove they have been in the country for two years - the "habitual residence" clause (Opinion, October 1st).
I am surprised, however, at her comment that this is just another example of the "gap between rhetoric and reality that leads voters to turn off the EU".
Strangely, she somehow overlooks the fact that it is the EU itself that is challenging this Government decision as a breach of European anti-discrimination rules, as detailed by your Social Affairs correspondent, Carl O'Brien on September 23rd.
Are her remarks yet another example of a eurosceptic ignoring the facts in order to have a go at the EU? - Yours, etc,
GERARD GIBBONS, Navan, Co Meath.