Sir, - I would like to support comments made by Sister Margaret MacCurtain on the Farrell programme (April 28th). Sister MacCurtain wondered about the role of the Department of Education regarding Goldenbridge. She also took issue with appointment procedures for heads of institutions such as the Goldenbridge Orphanage. And she suggested that we might take up the matter of present day homeless.
It was disclosed that a Fianna Fail Minister and a civil servant visited a nun run institution. The nuns were brought to Ireland to care for children. It would seem that the distinguished visitors noticed that the nuns seemed hungry.
Did they ponder on the belief that the children under care could have been worse off than the nuns or were the nuns starving themselves to feed the children?
Was there any discussion in the Department of Health about what its Minister and official discovered?
Was any attempt made to increase the allowance for each orphan from 17s 6d even to £1? Or was it decided not to create a problem by asking questions?
Sister MacCurtain was entirely right to broaden the Goldenbridge disclosure and place it into the realm of public accountability. Faults nuns may have had, but they should not be left taking blame for official indifference. - Yours, etc.,
Kincora Grove,
Dublin 3.