Sir, - Viewing with horror but not surprise the current events surrounding the white paper on Defence, one must realise that the blind and petty penny-pinching vision that exists in the Department of Defence is par for the course.
The Minister has obviously adapted well to the ethos of his civil servants. The arrogance and condescension displayed in his RTE interview were quite appalling. May I join in the call for the Minister to have the good grace to resign? The Defence portfolio may yet be given to someone who has the vision and imagination to see beyond the parish pump. - Yours, etc.,
Donal Buckley, Capt (Ret'd) Castlebar, Co Mayo.