Sir, - Seldom, if ever, have I come across a better example of misplaced belief than that expressed by Fine Gael's Paul Bradford (The Irish Times, September 7th) in which he refers to the Rainbow Government as "among the best governments of the last 30 years".
A simple examination of the record of this Government quickly dispels Mr Bradford's myth that the Rainbow administration was a model for any coalition in government. Let us not forget that this was the government whose only legacy was one of neglect and mismanagement.
Since returning to office, Fianna Fail in Government has invested record amounts of funding in health, education and in improving our country's infrastructure. Employment is at an all-time low of 4.4 per cent while crime has fallen by 21 per cent. Innovative measures have also been taken to tackle social exclusion and marginalisation.
Against that backdrop this Government has worked tirelessly to bring lasting peace to this island. The successful negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement is one of the many achievements for which this Government will be remembered.
Perhaps a period of serious political reflection would be a worthwhile exercise for Mr Bradford. His rosy-coloured view of the past is far from the reality, and suggests that nothing has changed with the party he represents. - Yours, etc.,
Ned O'Keeffe TD, Minister of State, Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Agriculture House, Dublin 2.