Madam, - It was with some disgust, but little surprise, that I read the comments of Olivia Mitchell, TD in response to your survey of Irish youth (The Irish Times, September 20th).
She claims that, as a result of the growing multicultural nature of our society, young women, being attracted to exotic foreigners, are "exposing themselves to all sorts of STDs".
Creating and manipulating fears and anxieties based on prejudice and ignorance has become a ploy among some of our politicians and media. Ms Mitchell's comments are just another example, in the context of a topic in which she could have explored many of the complex issues raised by the survey. Yet, she went for the easy target of blaming "the other" in society.
Mr Enda Kenny should use this opportunity to prove his own capacity for courageous leadership and display publicly his intolerance of such irresponsible comments from a member of his parliamentary party. - Yours, etc.,
BRIAN RUANE, Ashfield Rise, Balbriggan, Co Dublin.
Madam, - The survey published in your newspaper last week has provoked much comment, both within your pages and in the wider media.
The fact that over 1,000 people were surveyed adds much to the statistical power of the research. However, when commentators attempt to break down the results and comment on the behaviour of one sex within a two-year age cohort (say, for example, males aged 18 and 19), when such a grouping cannot contain more than 100 individuals, the statistical validity diminishes and the margin of error is much greater.
In addition, when looking at results one has to assess if they make sense! One statistic was that 7 per cent of married young people had never had sex.
I would cast as much reliability on this finding as on as one that said 7 per cent of Sinn Féin supporters believe Ian Paisley should be the next Taoiseach. - Yours, etc.,
Dr DESMOND CASEY, Barrack Street, Sligo.