Madam, - Dr Sinéad Ó Nualláin's letter (June 5th) charges Mary Harney with alienating doctors and nurses. But surely the Minister's job is to represent the best interests of Irish citizens and if that involves not yielding to what she considers the unreasonable demands of doctors and nurses, so be it.
A great number of people with whom I have discussed this issue feel it is outrageous that doctors who have qualified through very costly training which is funded entirely by the State should be paid up to €250,000 for a 39-hour week. It explains why city buses are carrying advertisements for cheaper treatments in Europe, even after allowing for travel and accommodation.
It is unwise to believe that the very substantial costs that will arise from settling the nurses' dispute is the end of the matter. One of the immediate problems the new government will have to face will be an avalanche of claims for shorter hours and more pay from others employed by the health service, and by the State generally.
If they don't get what they want, they will be alienated. At that stage, I think very many people will decide that perhaps Ms Harney did not alienate some groups nearly enough. - Yours, etc,
KEVIN KAVANAGH, Merrion Strand, Sandymount, Dublin 4.