Sir, - The contrast between the unselfish, patriotic behaviour of the vast majority of the State's citizens, from urban as well as rural backgrounds, in the face of the foot-and-mouth outbreak and the narrow, destructive selfishness of the ASTI is striking. The union's attempts to justify what has long ceased to be justifiable behaviour range from the disingenuous to the pathetic, such as that by S.J. Conway (March 24th). Just because they teach a few new books entitles them to what they want, when they want it, or else! Teachers should take a sabbatical from those dreadfully long hours and short summer holidays to live in the real world of the private sector, and learn what real change in changing times means!
ASTI members object to being called "terrorists", because it is "intemperate". Well, the truth hurts. Like terrorists, they pursue their destructive agenda to the exclusion of all others in society - and pity the person who challenge their divine right to do this. Like terrorists, they fear to seek a democratic mandate for their actions.
Finally, we are all nauseated by listening to teachers and their representatives crowing about how important they are in developing our children, to the point of discounting the influence of parents. For the good of tomorrow's society, we can only hope that ASTI members attempting to develop responsible, civic-minded and caring adults will tell their charges to "do as I say, not as I do". - Yours, etc.,
Paddy Hickey, Cliftonville Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9.