Madam, - The reception afforded the Taoiseach at the opening ceremony of the 2003 Special Olympics Summer Games in Dublin may have been inappropriate.
However, it was not surprising. This reception very much confirmed, in front of some 7,000 special participants and 85,000 spectators, distinguished guests and a national and international audience and media, the increasing depth of public despair, disappointment and dissatisfaction with the Taoiseach's style of leadership and management of our affairs.
No amount of public relations will ever camouflage the reality that this Prime Minister has presided over one of the most obscene and shallow periods in recent Irish history.
To my mind, the Taoiseach had a damn cheek to use this occasion to encourage more people to become involved in voluntary activities, as without the generous commitment of thousands of carers and volunteers the length and breadth of this country essential local and national community services would cease to exist.
It is time for him and other like-minded public representatives to respect decent Irish citizens and taxpayers who pay their salaries - among whom are the Special Olympic Volunteers - and to start leading this country in an appropriate manner by concentrating on addressing the real and neglected needs of the public . Otherwise, step down! - Yours, etc.,
PETER GAUGHAN, Monkstown, Co Dublin.