Madam, - It is disappointing to see that the Taoiseach has undertaken a trade mission to Saudi Arabia. That country has an appalling human rights record and, in particular, its treatment of women is abhorrent.
However, I find it most interesting that there has been little or no criticism of the Government on this issue. Whenever the president of the United States meets a member of the Saudi royal family, there is widespread condemnation from people in this country of the Saudis and the US. Yet when Ireland is involved, there is little response. It is strange that those who are so vocal in their criticism of the US and the UK in the area of human rights seem lost for words when such issues involve Ireland or another European country. The silence is deafening. - Yours, etc,
STEPHEN McLOUGHLIN, The Hawthorns, Ashbourne, Co Meath.