Sir, – As former senior staff members from the 1960s through the 1990s, we are saddened by the revelations of financial irregularities in the CRC, an organisation which we have always respected and loved. We are disturbed by the ongoing media analysis and opprobrium heaped on the organisation. We worked with Lady Valerie Goulding, who imbued the organisation with her can-do spirit and the spirit of volunteerism which staff and volunteers shared. She created an ethos which attracted high-calibre staff.
Together, medical, therapy, educational and support staff developed what is the modern CRC, the specialist services of which are available on a national basis.
What has been exposed in this debate is the culture of double standards which has existed not only in CRC but in a wide range of other agencies and government departments.
The original logo of the CRC was the phoenix, which in Greek mythology was a long-lived bird which cyclically regenerated itself.
Now is the opportunity for the organisation, in the spirit of its founder and its original logo, to regenerate itself and to establish a new era of transparency, openness and accountability.
It is now time to move on, to restructure and regroup, and focus on its mission of providing the highest level of care to children and adults with physical disabilities. It is our fervent wish and hope that the CRC will be stronger facing into the future and continue to be relevant to its service users. – Yours, etc,
MAIRIN BYRNE,
Corr Castle, Sutton,
Dublin 13 & KAY KEATING,
Kells Bay, Co Kerry.