Sir, - I have known and been a friend of Eoghan Harris for over two decades. I know that, in the rough and tumble of political debate, he is more than capable of taking care of himself. However, the tone and content of many attacks on him by other political commentators has been hard to stomach. I wonder if the venom directed at him may be due to the fact that of all the spin-doctoring and commentating of the past month or so, Harris's is the only contribution that's remembered or is worth remembering.
Did Harris contribute to the election of Mary Robinson in 1990 and Mary McAleese in 1997? Of course he did! Is he entitled as a citizen of this republic, as a journalist and political commentator to express views and take sides on the issues that emerge during an election campaign? Of course he is! Is he entitled to raise issues that might otherwise be excluded from the political agenda? Yes he is! That is his job. Is he entitled to offer his opinions and advice to any candidate or party contesting the election? Who doesn't?
His success at raising the issues that set the political agenda is obviously upsetting and distasteful for your political commentators and a considerable number of the correspondents in your letters column. What they need to remember is that not all political commentators become spin-doctors. Only those who are taken seriously and are listened to with respect by political practitioners achieve that status. Harris clearly has. - Yours, etc.,
Bushypark Lawn, Dangan, Galway.