Madam, - Patrick Lindsay, Minister for the Gaeltacht in the 1954-1957 coalition, used to tell a story about the day he and James Dillon accompanied the outgoing Taoiseach, John A. Costello, on his way to Áras aUachtaráin to submit his resignation to the President.
As they passed the Irish House, a well known pub on the quays, Lindsay asked the others if they had ever been in it. Costello confessed that he had never been in a pub in his life and Dillon said that he had only been in the family-owned business in Ballaghaderreen.
Lindsay commented that if they were more familiar with that aspect of Irish life they mightn't be on their way to the Park that day.
I wonder if Ministers Martin and McDowell ever heard the story. - Yours, etc.,
DENIS FAHEY,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 9.
... ...
Madam, - If the new anti-smoking legislation is enforced in the same "Irish" way that the use, night after night, of illegal fireworks is policed, smokers have absolutely nothing to worry about. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL K. POWER,
Sandyford Road,
Dublin 16.
... ...
Madam, - If the vintners are as concerned about loss of business as they claim to be then why not have them try the novel approach of competing for customers on price? - Yours, etc.,
J. McNULTY
Harolds Cross,
Dublin.