Sir, - Senator Labhras O Murchu's attack (March 24th) on Mic Moroney's article (Arts, March 19th) is a mere diversion from the real issues surrounding the Oireachtas report on Traditional Music, for which he was rapporteur.
He seeks to disarm criticism by saying it is difficult to conceive of a report on an art form which would meet with unanimous approval. But this report details the work of only one body, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, and about half its words are taken directly from CCE's publicity material. No other organisation's work receives consideration; few are even mentioned.
In such a case condemnation is all that can be expected. And when the raporteur is director-general of the body in question, it is little wonder that the condemnation becomes a howl.
Senator O Murchu's letter complained: "There are of course, those who would wish to airbrush Comhaltas out of the picture." Has someone borrowed his airbrush?
The senator upbraids Mr Moroney for a failure to apprehend how the rapporteur system works. The failure is rather his own. One is entitled to expect of the rapporteur to a joint committee an even-handedness. This was not present. The joint committee, the Oireachtas, the people and traditional music have not been well served. However, this is superfluous: the joint committee has taken the matter (courageously, and without precedent) into its own hands - it has advertised for the submissions which its rapporteur failed to seek. Any defence the Senator makes is only of himself; it has been acknowledged that his report is indefensible.
Another quotation from Senator O Murchu's letter: "It would be a disservice to orchestrate this debate in a way which does not allow for an organic, open appraisal of the subject. .." And so it was Senator, so it was. - Yours, etc., John Moulden,
Apollo Walk, Portrush, Co Antrim.