Madam, - Political commentators seem to have reached a consensus that the Minister for Education is is ineffectual but also well-meaning. This view ignores his record.
It was Mr Dempsey who drove through the single most significant and cynical piece of legislation in the last Dáil. As Minister for Environment - and Fianna Fáil National Treasurer - he increased by over 50 per cent the amount which political parties could spend during general elections.
This allowed Fianna Fáil to spend an additional €1.2 million during the election campaign, using the accumulated donations from its wealthy backers - not all of whom, I suspect, were motivated by concern for the disadvantaged. This money paid for Fianna Fáil to communicate all those promises to the electorate that it now wants us to forget.
Mr Dempsey also abolished provision for spending limits in local elections. Fianna Fáil hopes - in vain! - to reap the benefits of that next year.
No wonder even the Taoiseach feels obliged to save his face. - Yours, etc.,
MIKE ALLEN, General Secretary, Labour Party, Ely Place, Dublin 2.