Madam, - Is the Minister for Health going to prevent anyone coming from SARS-infected countries into Ireland?
Is he going to impose the same criteria on trade delegations coming here with a view to investing in Ireland and securing trade agreements? Is he going to prevent any Irish citizens from returning home; any tourists from coming to Ireland; or any other visitors who may have been "in contract with other people"?
Or does the Minister impose restrictions on athletes competing in the Special Olympics only because a large number of them have disabling conditions and because "they would have been in contact with a large number of people"? Let us not forget their entourages, whom Mr Martin includes in the same bracket.
Competitive athletes have the most rigorous health and fitness regimes that screen and monitor their health constantly, making them the healthiest people to be around!
Perhaps Mr Martin should take the bus, walk down a crowded Dublin street, sit in a cinema or better still wait in the A&E department of any of our public hospitals - and let us know how he feels when someone coughs or sneezes near him.
His decision concerning the athletes in the forthcoming Special Olympics is misguided and demonstrates a complete lack of judgment. The damage done to Ireland as the prospective host country of the Special Olympics is irreparable - our standing and integrity are in shreds. Instead of filling every Irish heart with pride in hosting wonderful athletes from all over the world, the Minister has succeeded in quite the opposite - making us feel ashamed of being Irish! - Yours, etc.,
LYNN JACKSON,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.