A chara, - The racist comments made in Dáil Éireann by Minister of State Conor Lenihan, a minister with special responsibility for overseas development and human rights, should be a resigning matter. I will not hold my breath, however, as no doubt the giggling backbenchers who found his comment that Joe Higgins should "stick with the kebabs" amusing will have persuaded him otherwise. Is it any wonder there is a growing apathy towards politics in this country? - Is mise,
E.F. FANNING, Churchtown, Dublin.
Madam, - Regrettably we have seen another outbreak of "foot in mouth" from Mr Lenihan. While his "kebab" remark is insulting and unbecoming to his position in government, it seriously calls into question Mr Lenihan's appointment in the first instance and secondly his suitability for retention in his position as Minister of State for Overseas Development.
Given the difficulty that Mr Ahern has in eradicating such embarrassing outbreaks, would it not be high time to cull the source of such thoughtless and insulting outbursts by sending Mr Lenihan overseas permanently?
I am sure that such action would be greeted with "Turkish Delight". - Yours, etc,
TOM McELLIGOTT, Raheen, Limerick.
Madam, - Your report on the Lenihan "kebabs" affair was headlined: "Lenihan apologises for 'kebabs' remark". He did no such thing; rather, as the body of the report states, he apologised "if any offence was taken from the remarks I made. . . given the interpretation that may be put on those remarks."
"I apologise for my offensive remarks" is both an apology and a sentence remarkable for the rarity of its public utterance. - Yours, etc,
ANDREW SHERIDAN, Terenure Park, Dublin 6W.