Madam, - In your edition of August 21st, Mary Coughlan, Minister for Social and Family Affairs is quoted as saying in regard to pensions for missionaries that it would be unfair to make an exception for them and "it is not possible to discriminate in favour of any particular group or nationality".
Ms Coughlan seems to equate our own Irish citizens with foreign immigrants. I can only marvel at her choice of words and her lack of recognition of the irony they contain, not to mention the lack of sensitivity towards a very small group of Irish citizens who have given their whole lives helping poorer nations.
If Ms Coughlan's opinions are those of the whole Fianna Fáil party, I trust that all the religious of Ireland as well as the families of Irish missionaries will remember this gross discrimination when polling time comes. - Yours, etc.,
N. KEANE, Westbourne Avenue, Limerick.