Madam, - It was with great regret that I read Frank McNally's attempted humour at the Taoiseach's expense in your edition of December 3rd, compounded by Martyn Turner's cartoon of the following day.
The Irish Times has long been held in the greatest of esteem and associated with respect for individuals, regardless of their ability or status, discernment in its reportage and balance in its opinions. However, in making fun of one individual's capabilities or lack of them, you shame and denigrate all of us.
Your exploitation of Mr Ahern's spelling errors smacks of snobbery and elitism, and claims a high moral ground that The Irish Times can ill afford. - Yours, etc,
ORFHLAITH RAMSEY, Stradbally, Co Waterford.
Madam, - It is ironic that on the same page as a report satirising the Taoiseach's spelling, the first line of another report should contain the grammatical error "have showed". - Yours, etc,
ANN BYRNE, Killiney, Co Dublin.