Madam, – What a pleasure to read Noel Whelan’s dispassionate assessment of Mary Harney’s accomplishments (Opinion, February 6th). Although my views cluster at the opposite end of the political spectrum, I note that she is often the target of uninformed, superficially ideological and sometimes misogynistic criticism. Here is someone who delivered us a cleaner environment, who fostered and empowered investment in science and who introduced reform to a fossilised and reactionary heath service. How many politicians have been as effective in the history of the State?
Has she evoked outrage, anger and abuse? Of course. One would expect no less. It’s a mark of her accomplishment. Her common depiction is a nice contrast to the oleaginous acquiescence accorded to so many of her political antecedents who were less dedicated to public service than to fostering their personal cause. – Yours, etc,