Sir, - The controversy over the Tánaiste's use of a Fisheries Department CASA aircraft to fulfill an engagement in Manorhamilton shows just how little this nation has really changed in recent times. We are still a nation of begrudgers going around with boulder-sized chips on our shoulders.
Let us remind ourselves that Mary Harney is the Deputy Taoiseach, and like the Taoiseach she has very little time to herself. Being a politician, even a backbencher, is no easy life. It involves long working hours, constant abuse, the stress and strain of trying to maintain any sort of family life while trying to meet the needs of your constituents and fulfil Dáil and committee responsibilities.
On top of all that, a Government Minister has all the affairs of their own department to oversee, and the Tánaiste, as leader of the PDs and as deputy Taoiseach has yet more responsibility. Small wonder that she had to squeeze her recent wedding and reception in between various government meetings!
I for one do not begrudge her using a State aircraft to facilitate a trip to open her friend's off-licence. As has been pointed out, it was a public occasion, and even if it were not she deserves to be aided by the State which she serves so diligently to have a personal and private life of some quality. If we expect our senior politicians to give so generously of their time on our behalf, we have to be prepared to give something back.
I am a Fine Gael voter, but I believe that with a few notable exceptions our politicians are a decent, hard-working body of men and women. They may be well paid, but they endure working hours and conditions that very few unions would tolerate.
Incidentally, I am sure there is nothing too glamourous or comfortable about travelling in a old, propeller-driven fisheries plane. - Yours, etc.,
Rev STEPHEN NEILL,
Cloughjordan,
Co Tipperary.