A chara, - I am an Irish citizen working as a volunteer in South Africa. Recently we had a visit from the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, who praised the work of the Irish personnel here in South Africa, Lesotho and Botswana. May I ask Mr Ahern a direct question: Would you praise us if we came home and spoke on behalf of those legitimately seeking political asylum in Ireland? Is there not a moral vacuum between your words here and your actions at home?
I am ashamed of both the tone and the amorality of statements from the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue. In a spirit of truth and justice, perhaps the Department of Foreign Affairs should reflect carefully before it sends out any future Government Ministers to so-called "developing countries". - Yours, etc.,
Stephen Cummins, PO Box 433, Apel 0739, South Africa.