Sir, - Nuala O'Faolain deserves the highest praise for her courage in reporting the horrors of sex tourism and child prostitution in the Phillipines. Despite all training in journalistic detachment, Ms O'Faolain's personal anguish concerning the children comes through vividly in her writing. The Irish Times also warrants kudos for sponsoring this humanitarian feature.
We must not dismiss the "power of one" to change the often cruel face of this world as exemplified by the humanitarian work of Sister Mary John Mananzan and Father Shay Cullen. They make a difference to these children on a daily basis while risking their health, sanity, liberty and life.
As an Irish American, I am appalled and disgraced by the conditions created and left behind by the US military in the Phillipines. As an Irish citizen, I take great pride in Ireland's moral leadership in humanitarian legislation like the Sexual Offences Bill and the Child Sex Tours Bill. We should guide Australia, Britain, Germany and the United States in the same direction. We must also question the empty "money is God" mentality that lead to this hell on earth. - Yours, etc.,
Rockfield Green,
Maynooth,
Co Kildare.