The Taoiseach And His Partner

Sir, - Dr Noreen O'Carroll's reference (Opinion, January 6th) to my intervention in the current controversy regarding the relationship…

Sir, - Dr Noreen O'Carroll's reference (Opinion, January 6th) to my intervention in the current controversy regarding the relationship between the Taoiseach and Ms Celia Larkin, while interesting in its discussion of the concept of luralism, is, I believe, based on a misconception of the facts.

I was not, as she believes, dismissed from the office of President of the Law Reform Commission because of membership of Opus Dei, but because I had publicly stated that in my opinion adherence to the Maastricht Treaty or even the European Community should not be undertaken if it meant that abortion could be forced on us against the will of the Irish people.

Her article, however, did address what I believe to be the central issue in the controversy, namely, the question of the giving of scandal, which has been sidelined in almost all other commentary in the press and on the airwaves.

I am not familiar with the passages in scripture to which she refers but does not identify, suggesting that sometimes it is best to remain silent out of respect for another. I know, however, that St John the Baptist, when the Pharisees and Sadducees came to him for baptism, addressed them with the words: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" (Matthew.3:11). The same group of people were referred to by Our Lord as "an evil and adulterous generation" (Matthew.16:4) and King Herod as "that fox" (Luke.13:32). St Paul, on trial before the High Priest, exclaimed: "God will strike you, you whited sepulchre!"

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The debate should, in my opinion, focus on two specific issues. Is the current relationship between the Taoiseach and the lady now referred to as his partner a source of scandal, having regard to the teaching of the Church to which he belongs? If it is a source of scandal, what is the correct course for those who are concerned about it? Should they maintain a discreet silence; or should they speak out openly to express their disapproval of what is taking place?

Are we to allow public morality to go by default? - Yours, etc., Rory O'Hanlon,

Kilternan, Co Dublin.