Madam, - Before you close the chapter on the Taoiseach's finances, may I say a word on the two groups of decent Irishmen who only tried to help a friend in his time of need? Under the media glare, their simple virtue is made to carry intimations of ulterior motives.
It is a great tribute to the Dublin group that they retained their sense of values, and that charities will benefit from the €90,000 enforced repayment of loans to them.
The other group, the Manchester businessmen, is composed of Irishmen typical of the thousands who as young men had to take the emigrant boat because the Irish government was unable to provide any prospects for them at home. As a group they remained loyal to Ireland, sending money and coming on holidays at Christmas and summertime to liven up the depressed countryside.
Up and down the West of Ireland in particular, there are parishes with houses built, GAA clubs equipped, roofs of churches repaired thanks to such men's generosity.
Pressure of space and time limits newspapers from giving the full picture. Let us hope the eventual publication of the official tribunal report will clear the good name of those innocently involved. - Yours, etc,
PATRICK QUINLAN, Templeville Drive, Templeogue, Dublin 6W.
Madam, - The reason that Michael McDowell will suffer more at the polls than Bertie Ahern because of the recent controversy is quite simple. PD supporters expect their representatives to perform to the highest moral standards. Fianna Fáil supporters, on the other hand, expect their representatives to act exactly as Bertie Ahern did. - Yours, etc,
BRIAN MORRIS, Blackrock, Co Louth.