Sir, - It not infrequently occurs that persons occupying high political office in this country whose position for one reason or another becomes untenable, instead of resigning promptly with a modicum of good grace, insist on fighting a stubborn rearguard action until the deafening clamour of public outrage forces their departure, usually to the accompaniment of pained protestations of total innocence.
By way of comparison, note the recent case of the French Government Minister, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who, as soon as a past involvement came under criticism in the public arena, resigned forthwith. According to your report of the event (The Irish Times, November 3rd), DKS's demission statement included the following: "It is not right for a Minister to continue to exercise his functions while there is an allegation against him giving rise to a judicial process which risks damaging the whole Government." Quel contraste! - Yours, etc.,
James Dolan, Kilmacannon, Newtownforbes, Co Longford.