Madam, - Tom Farrell asks (September 5th), if it would be fair to ask taxpayers to stop funding Catholic schools because the Archdiocese of Dublin has applied its normal enrolment policies and given preference to Catholic children.
Of course it is perfectly fair for Mr Farrell to make any request which occurs to him, but as to whether it would be right to cut off funding to such schools in the circumstances described - well, I believe he is giving too much weight to his personal prejudices.
It is reasonable to point out that the taxpayers for whom Mr Farrell is so concerned probably include a majority of practising Catholics who, even in the current climate of anti-Catholicism/religion, would like to think that their wishes might have some influence when it comes to how their money is spent.
In regard to Mr Farrell's allegation that Catholic schools operate a policy of "no Jews, no Muslims, no Hindus, no Protestants, no Siks, no atheists", I can only conclude that he has not even bothered to acquaint himself with the many reports carried in the news media to the contrary, and merely decided to indulge himself in a good old anti-Catholic rant - always popular with the liberal sections of our society. - Yours, etc,
BRIAN STEWART, Knocknacarra, Galway.