Madam, - Donating money to the US may appease consciences but is not the most effective way of helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Were I to happen upon Bill Gates immediately after he had been the victim of a car crash I would not offer to pay his hospital bills. Similarly, it is silly to suggest other nations should fund the recovery of the world's richest country after this tragic event.
The US is not short of capital. Indeed, US Treasury Secretary Jon Snow has said the rebuilding effort will have the effect of boosting the economy by half a percentage point next year.
I would, however, offer Mr Gates assistance in getting to the hospital given his inability to do so himself with the necessary haste. Similarly, other countries should offer logistical help, medical provisions, ration packs, etc, of which the US doesn't have sufficient quantities.
We have a moral obligation to help, but money isn't the right medium. - Yours, etc,
JOSEPH LAKE,
Kilbrew,
Ratoath,
Co Meath.
Madam, - On Tuesday on Morning Ireland, in the course of a discussion on the Irish Government sending troops to New Orleans, I inadvertently used the term "boy scouts to the Somme", attempting to make an analogy. In the context I was referring to the enormity of the disaster as opposed to any lack of effectiveness of the Army, which I hold in the highest regard.
This term was hugely inappropriate and I realise could have caused offence to Army personnel. None was intended.
For years, I have had, and still hold, the Army in the highest esteem. Goal received the assistance of Army officers in our relief effort in Somalia in 1992. Two years later, a large contingent of Army personnel was seconded to Goal for our relief work in the Kibumba camp after the Rwandan genocide.
In both operations the Army personnel excelled. Goal has recently applied to the Army to have personnel released on secondment for work in Darfur.
I hereby offer an unconditional apology to all Army personnel who may feel disparaged as a result of my comments. If the Government believes that Army personnel can assist in the rehabilitation effort in New Orleans, my colleagues and I wish them every success. We know they will do a good job.
The Irish people, and the Irish Government, must identify and empathise with the plight of the suffering people of New Orleans and surrounding areas. We must do whatever we think will alleviate their suffering.
On Tuesday I sent a letter of apology to Lt-Gen Jim Sreenan, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. - Yours, etc,
JOHN O'SHEA,
Goal,
PO Box 19,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.