Sir, - In between taking Mary Harney to task and making sideswipes at Fianna Fail, Joan Burton refers to New Zealand and the "harsh social results of the policies pursued there that turned voters to the Labour led alliance that seems likely to form the new government". Ms Burton's allusion is at some variance with the historical facts, although this may be due to ignorance, as she admits to currently picking up her information via the Internet.
The truth is that the stringent Thatcherite policies in vogue in New Zealand for over a decade were introduced by a Labour administration led by David Lange. Ms Burton should acknowledge this, and stop pursuing unblack dogs chasing unsmall rabbits.
Perhaps she unremembered?
Yours, etc.,
Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Art, Culture and Heritage, Dail Eireann.