Sir - The recent Tanaiste versus Taoiseach bout threatened the Government's survival. It was a senseless confrontation which says more about personal egos than service to the State.
While I hold no particular brief for the Taoiseach, his comments on the public perception of Dail Deputies' antics are accurate. Opposition TDs seek to discredit the Government all the time, sometimes making wild accusations they cannot believe themselves. It is not surprising that politicians are held in such low esteem. As the self-appointed conscience of the nation, the PDs should stop behaving like morality police. They need less megaphone diplomacy and more self-assurance. In the recent controversy, their reactions were unsubtly manipulated by media interviewers and opposition politicians. It was a piteous sight to behold as they played them like violins to produce the desired notes. - Yours, etc., E. O Raghallaigh,
Mapas Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin.