History will be kinder than editorial comment

I BELIEVE history will be considerably more generous in its assessment of Charles Haughey’s legacy than you were in the editorial in your special supplement on the former Taoiseach (Irish Examiner, June 14).

You state that Mr Haughey “rejected the advice of his father-in-law, Seán Lemass, the then Taoiseach, not to accept the first junior ministerial post offered him.”

My understanding of all ministerial appointments is that these are solely at the behest of the Taoiseach. You are suggesting, therefore, that Lemass offered Haughey a ministerial post and at the same time told him not to accept it. Perhaps the system has changed, and it was someone else who offered Haughey the post, or maybe your claim reflects your editorial accuracy.