Sir, - In the early hours of last Monday morning I joined the ranks of the friends and relatives of the sick and dangerously ill after my father had a heart attack. Having spent 18 hours in casualty, under the care of the dedicated nurses and staff at the Mater Hospital, he was transferred to the main hospital.
Does Mr Cowen have no concept of what it is to watch a loved one sick and helpless? Does he know how these angels of mercy communicate with and love those in their care? Why does the Taoiseach allow this tension and controversy to build up all over the country, creating unnecessary stress in people who are their most vulnerable? Mr Ahern: with a by-election in the offing, could you not consider giving Mr Cowen a less controversial job? He has the health service and its workers at breaking point. Use your own "people skills" to alleviate this self made crisis!
Let me appeal to the medical organisations who know at first hand how dedicated the nurses in our hospitals are - specifically the IMO and the IHCA - to use their good offices to persuade the Government to break the deadlock. After all, what problems cannot be solved with reasoned communication and a caring heart? - Yours, etc.,
Patricia Feeney, Bourne Avenue, Ashbourne, Co Meath,