Madam, - Watching Fairytale of Kathmandu on RTÉ on Tuesday night, I couldn't help feeling that if Cathal Ó Searcaigh, as a Westerner, was exploiting the empoverished young people of Nepal, so also was Neasa Ní Chianáin.
Did these innocent young boys really understand what she was doing? Did they give their consent to have their faces beamed into Irish homes and to remain on a reel of film to bear witness to what was going on? Why were their faces not disguised?
In my opinion, these boys were compromised on two fronts. In exposing Ó Searcaigh's weakness, arrogance and wrongdoing, Ms Ní Chianáin also compromised these beautiful, innocent victims. Does she know or care about the repercussions for these boys in their society or in their future lives? The decision to expose Ó Searcaigh was admirable but the method used was, in my view, a second abuse. - Yours, etc,
MARGARET FITZGERALD,
Dalkey Avenue,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.
Madam, - As an Irish taxpayer I do not wish Cathal Ó Searcaigh to receive any more of my money. Yet due to the bizarre, self-governing nature of Aosdána, no elected representative or Minister can stop him from receiving the cnuas. The very public failure of self-regulation in organisations ranging from the religious orders to the Garda is one of the more notable trends over the past two decades, and the reluctance of Aosdána to address this situation is depressingly familiar.
Its refusal even to consider the implications of Ó Searcaigh's conduct for taxpayers, artists and especially aspiring Irish-language poets makes it clear that drastic reforms are needed. - Yours, etc,
DAVID ROLFE,
Leinster Road,
Dublin 6.
Madam, - The illustrious writers defending Cathal Ó Searcaigh pose the question: "When has RTÉ ever. . .broadcast a documentary about the alleged sexual impropriety of a heterosexual, concerning consensual sex with someone over the age of consent?"
Do the names Fr Michael Cleary and Bishop Eamonn Casey ring any bells? - Yours, etc,
SEAN LYONS,
Carraigeendaniel,
Tralee, Co Kerry.