Madam, - While I would consider Mr Cowen's choice of words in the Dáil this week to be highly inappropriate, I have to say that my main concern lies with the preceding debate, during which he threatened to organise to silence the main Opposition party. Surely this is a new low for democracy in Ireland. - Yours, etc,
MARY O'CARROLL,
Gledswood Avenue,
Clonskeagh,
Dublin 14.
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Madam, - The Taoiseach's use of very unparliamentary language has rightly been given wide news coverage, but this has been in reference only to his fellow-parliamentarians in general. There has been no mention, that I can find, of the fact that his use of a grossly improper word was directed towards his Tánaiste, a woman.
Has common courtesy receded so far into the distance that even our prime minister sees fit to use such an expression to a lady - and fails (so far) to make an unqualified apology to his hearer? One sincerely hopes not. - Yours, etc,
DAVID GRANT,
Mount Pleasant,
Waterford.
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Madam, - Now that the Taoiseach has justified the first "f" in his sobriquet, how long before he justifies the "i". Not long, I wager. - Yours, etc,
PAUL REDMOND,
Colthurst Rise,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
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Madam, - Are we not all entitled to our occasional "cúpla focal"? - Yours, etc,
ANNE CAHILL,
Laurel Park,
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22.