A chara, - I would like to reassure Mr Eamonn Lafferty of PDFORRA (December 17th) that most of us have genuine sympathy for those members of the Defence Forces who have suffered hearing loss. I would also like to reassure him that, despite the slight but understandable touch of emotionalism in his letter, the great work of the armed forces on behalf of the community is appreciated.
That said, I should point out that almost 600,000 Irish adults (or 17 Per cent of the population) have impaired hearing, ranging from mild to profound loss. This, for those of us affected, consists of a communication impairment and not just a loss of sound perception. It affects all personal, social, educational and business situations in our lives.
Perhaps Mr Lafferty might view the hearing problems encountered by PDFORRA members in the context of the problems of these 600,000 others who, unlike themselves, cannot claim compensation from the taxpayers. - Yours, etc.,
From Kevin McPhillips
Churchtown, Dublin 14.