Madam, - Bertie Ahern's extraordinary personal attack on Joe Higgins, TD, on June 21st had all the symptoms of midsummer madness. His comment that Joe was a nitwit who should have stayed in South Kerry was gratuitously insulting to Joe and to Kerry people in general.
Joe's Herculean efforts in exposing the insidious exploitation of the Gama workers showed the character of the man. This was not only an outstanding service to the Gama workers but indeed to the Irish nation. Joe has proved himself a real champion of the ordinary citizen because he genuinely represents them. Mr Ahern's remark implying that Joe is a voice in the wilderness is wide of the mark.
Joe's impact in the Dáil is powerful because he challenges real life issues with honesty and integrity. He is a proactive public representative, a formidable parliamentarian and a true son of the Kingdom. - Yours, etc,
JIM GRIFFIN, Woodbrooke Manor, Tralee, Co Kerry.