Sir, - The recent Telecom flotation has captured the imagination of a large portion of the population. However, the contribution of one man to the success of Telecom Eireann over recent years has sadly not been highlighted in the coverage.
Ron Bolger dedicated a huge part of his professional life to Telecom Eireann. He ensured that TE was one of the most professional and dynamic semi-State companies. He steered it through a radical restructuring programme, which was achieved through dialogue and consultation with the workforce and trade unions. Mr Bolger gave strong and visionary leadership to TE during its recent strategic alliance and in the lead-up to the public flotation.
Earlier this year, Mr Bolger gallantly stood aside to allow Mr Brian Thompson to take over as chairperson. Mr Thompson's reign was short-lived and in the wake of his resignation Mr Bolger was cruelly cast aside by the Minister, Mrs O'Rourke in one of the most cynical acts of political cronyism witnessed this decade.
Without Ron Bolger's contribution, I doubt if the 574,082 new shareholders in Telecom Eireann would be celebrating the successful flotation of the company. I hope they have a greater appreciation of the role played by Ron Bolger than the Government demonstrated earlier this year. - Yours, etc.,
Emmet Stagg TD, Labour Party Spokesperson on Public Enterprise, Leinster House, Dublin 2.