Madam, - People have been questioning the annual exodus of our esteemed leaders to celebrate the national day in all four corners of the world. "Surely they should stay at home," they cry.
I think they miss an important point. St Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland all those years ago. The annual exodus of great numbers of politicians seems to me a particularly appropriate way to mark his feast day. - Yours, etc.,
PETER O ROURKE, Greenfields, Ballincollig, Co Cork.