Madam, - Thank heavens for the gifted pen of Fintan O'Toole and its harsh but realistic assessment of Charlie McCreevy's record in finance (July 27th). Without it how easy it might be to forget how the seven years of plenty were squandered. It is now clear that in health care, education and affordable housing many people are now paying the price.
It is also clear that Mr McCreevy's lifestyle and persona reflected that of the suave, affluent section of the population, arousing fantasies of the good life of the racing stables.
While we wish him luck and success in the wider field ahead, there must be a touch of the dramatically opportune that he goes to Europe with the dashing Peter Mandelson, a man twice ejected from the British Cabinet, if for no other reason than both Blair and Bertie can live with a bit less of them. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN F. FALLON, Boyle, Co Roscommon.