Madam, - The recent letter by Éamon Ó Cuív and subsequent correspondence on the troubled question of his grandfather's subscribing (or not) to the oath on entering Dáil Éireann in 1927 and the rather complex cerebral gymnastics involved bring to mind a piece read long ago, perhaps in the Reader's Digest. Someone was trying to explain the elasticity of Éamon de Valera's way of thinking by way of a parable.
During a religious retreat, two priests, a Jesuit and an Augustinian, were walking in a garden reading their office and meditating. The latter noticed the former was smoking and was indignant because he had been refused permission to smoke by his superior.
"And how did you frame your request?" the Jesuit enquired. "I asked to be allowed to smoke while I was meditating," the other replied. "Ah well, there you have it" said the Jesuit. "I enquired if it were permissible to meditate while smoking." - Yours, etc,
MARY KOTSONOURIS, Castleconnell, Co Limerick.