Madam, - To say I was dumbstruck by the Taoiseach's reference to suicide would be an understatement ( The Irish Times, July 5th). I am a Dublin fire-fighter and have to deal with the effects of suicide on the family and friends left behind by those who take their own life through utter despair. It is not easy for them or for my colleagues and Mr Ahern's remark was flippant and insensitive. His televised apology was a complete insult. His smiling, almost smirking face, his comment "if I said it that way" (Mr Ahern, you did) and his reassurance that he works closely with the suicide task force just reinforces my view of his lack of understanding on this matter. Those at the Ictu conference who applauded and laughed at his remarks should immediately resign their positions as they are not fit to represent the workers of this country. - Yours, etc,
DERMOT MORRISSEY, Willsbrook Way, Lucan, Co Dublin.
Madam, - The Taoiseach has apologised for his remarks about suicide, so maybe the affair should be allowed to drop. I wonder, though, if it is not Ireland's economic success, the subject of Mr Ahern's speech, which lies behind the tragic increase in suicide in recent years. Young people are under great pressure to perform, educationally and economically. Once out in the world, the cost of getting on the property ladder and the ongoing financial commitment must be daunting, to say the least. Many are mentally robust enough to cope with this, but others, maybe, are not.
The standard of living and the quality of life are far from the same thing. Now that the economy and house prices seem to be readjusting themselves more in line with reality, is it time for people to carry out a similar re-ordering of their priorities? - Yours, etc,
PAUL GRIFFIN, St Helens, Merseyside, England.