Sir, - Louis Power (letters, October 14th) could have asked a different question regarding the reaction to the report on the new Tallaght hospital. Rather than asking why there was not a "thundering denunciation", I would ask why there was not a warm welcome for an alternative view, a differing ethos, on one of the more important aspects of our lives.
Why should we sit in our mental bunkers, sending out absolutist messages, guaranteed to enrage half the population, the "not us" half? Why can we not accept that traditions other than ours may have much to offer, or indeed may not be so far removed from our own when it comes down to essentials?
As an ex Catholic who has been warmly and extensively welcomed into a Church of Ireland parish, I see nothing to fear from "an essentially religious and Protestant institution". Rather, it will continue to contribute, as it has done for many years, to a society which, hopefully, will become more rather than less pluralist. - Yours, etc.,
Auburn Road,
Dun Laoghaire.