Sir, - I have noted that, in discussing the State reception for Cardinal Connell, many commentators have obfuscated the central issue by focusing on secondary considerations. This has run the gamut from Martin Mansergh's meandering attempt to defend his failure as an adviser (to the point of being "gratuitously discourteous" to Dean MacCarthy), through Liz O'Donnell's petulance, to Brenda Power's hysterical defence of the "defenceless" Celia Larkin in the Sunday Tribune.
It has also been reflected in some contributions to this page. Much of the discussion has been couched in personal terms and within that realm of discourse, positive and unexceptionable statements have been made about the openness and honesty of The Taoiseach and Ms Larkin.
However, it appears to me that this concentration has distracted us from acknowledging the central issue, the legal, political and constitutional issue, which has been present throughout the lifetime of this Government, but which has emerged with greater clarity in light of recent events.
This issue is not primarily about the private lives of individuals or personal relationships or second relationships, or perceived embarrassments or manners or judgements or tolerance or protocol or even the teaching of the respective Churches concerning marriage. It is about the appropriateness of a role, or, regrettable in this case, the lack of it.
Since assuming office, The Taoiseach has been attempting (with the nod of the Opposition) to inflate the personal relationship between Ms Larkin and himself to the lineaments of an officially acceptable role. But the relationship cannot bear that burden, for there is absolutely no legal or constitutional basis for the putative role that has been foisted onto Ms Larkin. In that sense her position is, literally, defenceless.
To put it bluntly, according to constitutional and legal criteria, she has no more right to invite anyone to a State function than Terry Keane had, when Charles J. Haughey was Taoiseach.
I believe that the time has come for politicians to face the constitutional issue involved in an "open and transparent way". - Yours, etc.,
Eamon Fitzpatrick, Rue de la Servette, Geneva, Switzerland.