Madam, - In her article in your edition of July 26th, the Tánaiste, Mary Harney, tries sleight of hand so beloved of those who hold her political philosophy. She pretends she does not have any ideological views, but says her politics are purely based on pragmatism and practicality.
In fact, as she is only too well aware, politics is the mechanism for deciding how to allocate society's resources. The allocation of resources and opportunities in a society shows where a political party stands.
Many people languish on hospital trolleys and young people at risk have lost community services as a result of political decisions about whom to exclude from our society.
Could it be that in denying the existence of a political philosophy Ms Harney is subconsciously echoing Margaret Thatcher's denial of the existence of society? - Yours, etc.,
Cllr MARY FREEHILL, Grove Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6.