Sir, We have entered the world of Alice in Wonderland where words mean whatever you wish them to mean.
Take "sophistication" and "macho" for example. Reports from the MSF Trade Union conference in Belfast (April 21st) quote union general secretary, John Tierney, as criticising Irish Life as macho" and saying that "we (ie MSF) have to bring home the force of the sophistication of Irish industrial relations to them (ie Irish Life). And by God we are going to win."
Sophistication? Three weeks ago MSF members in the dispute voted 3:1 against Labour Relations Commission proposals to settle the dispute. At the start of February they voted 4:1 against Labour Court recommendations to settle the dispute. As for unsophisticated "macho" Irish Life, the company agreed to accept both sets of proposals. - Yours, etc.,
Media relations manager,
Irish Life,
Lower Abbey St,
Dublin 1.