Sir, - After centuries of uncritical admiration, Irish people have gradually surrendered their notion of a perfect clergy, both male and female, and are at last coming to terms with the human nature of their priests and nuns. What a pity then, if the idea of a new, perfect elite were to emerge - nurses whose vocation is such that they perfectly serve the sick of the nation with perfect patience and perfect altruism.
The claims of the nurses should be judged on their specific monetary/qualification/experience merits and not on any idea of their sainthood. They are in fact, a mixed bunch, like the rest of us. - Yours, etc.,
Marie MacSweeney, Trim, Co Meath