Sir, - It was refreshing to read the recent public disagreement between two of your regular columnists and it was quite unnecessary of Fintan O'Toole to apologise for the "incestuous squabbling" he feared it might appear (Opinion, November 20th). More of it, I say.
I have long held the view that Irish newspapers should encourage in their columns those who hold views contrary to the ideology of the editor and his journalists, as in the Opinion-Editorial columns of all major newspapers in the US.
For too long, a large section of the public have had their views filtered out by the stifling orthodoxy of the Irish media - particularly when important social issues have been at stake that cried out be discussed openly, honestly and even-handedly.
Let proper debate commence now! - Yours, etc.,
Louis Power, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin.