Madam, - I was shocked that a respected Catholic priest such as Fr Tom Ingoldsby should go out of his way to praise Ryanair (May 29th), seemingly because of a €150 donation and the free carriage of baby clothes en route to Bethlehem.
Ryanair operates an aggressive anti-union policy and has refused to permit its staff to be represented by their trade unions. This is perfectly lawful in Ireland, but is condemned by Catholic social teaching, which supports the right of workers to organise unions.
In the words of Pope John Paul II, "the experience of history teaches that organisations of this type are an indispensable element of social life, especially in modern industrialised societies".
Charitable gestures are worthy of public praise, but justice - the rendering to each person of their rights - is even more important. - Yours, etc,
PAUL HARDY, Cnoc an Óir, Letteragh Road, Galway