Madam, - I attended national school in rural ireland in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The level of expectation was low; so were the facilities. No heat (if you didn't bring your own turf); no light (daylight freely available!) no running water; a dry toilet 500 yards from the school building. Despite these austere conditions, the local rodents joined us on a regular basis.
It is not sensible to dwell on events or conditions of more than 60 years ago. But it is sensible to draw attention to the fact that after 80 years of self-government some of our children are still exposed to similar conditions. The so-called Celtic Tiger has passed them by.
Side by side with these events, our elected representatives are faced with the dilemma of choosing a private jet to suitably reflect our prosperity. I hope our European partners are impressed. - Yours, etc.,
P.F. McINTYRE, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14.