Sir, - With reference to Ken Whitaker's letter (February 10th) I fail to understand why those who express unease about Ms Celia Larkin's high-profile role abroad, or who question her entitlement to travel around the world at the State's expense should be perceived to be engaged in a vile scheme to "cause hurt and fuel sadness among young and old alike".
Mr Ahern's domestic affairs and Ms Larkin's uncertain status - I don't know whether her name still appears alongside An Taoiseach's on official invitations - are totally separate issues. This point has been emphasised by several so-called "bigoted ostriches".
How and by whom this State should be officially represented abroad and how State funds should be expended are matters with which our politicians should be directly concerned. They are matters from which those gentlemen and ladies should not be allowed or encouraged to avert their eyes. - Yours, etc., Terry O'Neill,
Retreat Road, Athlone.