Madam, - Cheap shots, sadly, have become the norm in political debate. They are simplistic, they seem clever and they offer a satisfying sound-bite to the biased.
It was disappointing, however, to see the new Labour Party leader, Eamon Gilmore, descend to this tactic in his first address to his recent party conference. I refer to his suggestion that a baptismal certificate has "become a latter-day pass book". I cannot imagine a cheaper shot than that of equating a baptismal certificate with apartheid South Africa pass books!
His address was lauded as a declaration of Labour Party values. Is the abolishment of Catholic schools an aim and ambition of that party? His snide comment suggests so.
It would appear that Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Educate Together schools and gaelscoileanna are all acceptable, while Catholic schools are not. While change is inevitable and acceptable, it remains the case that Catholics parents, as taxpayers, are entitled to state support along with everyone else.
Baptismal certificates are not pass-books - they are statements of identity! To follow Eamon Gilmore's logic, is he suggesting that Catholic identity, should have equal status with that of black and coloured citizens of apartheid South Africa?
Is it Labour Party policy that Irish Catholics are to become second-class citizens? - Yours, etc,
Rev EAMONN J CLARKE, The Presbytery, Kilcoole, Co Wicklow.