Taoiseach insults deputy and his native county

THE Taoiseach’s extraordinary personal attack on Deputy Joe Higgins in the Dáil recently had all the symptoms of midsummer madness.

However, his comment that Deputy Higgins was a nitwit who should have stayed in south Kerry was gratuitously insulting to the deputy and to Kerry people in general.

The Oxford Dictionary defines nitwit as “a person of low intelligence”. To say that this was an intemperate outburst is an understatement. Deputy Higgins is an outstanding public representative and has both intelligence and integrity. Furthermore, he is proficient in the Irish and English languages.

The deputy’s herculean efforts in exposing the insidious exploitation of the Gama workers showed the character of the man. This was not only an outstanding service to those workers, but indeed to the Irish nation. Deputy Higgins has proved himself a real champion of the ordinary citizen because he genuinely represents them.

Mr Ahern’s remark implying that the deputy is a voice in the wilderness is wide of the mark.

Mr Higgins’ impact in the Dáil is powerful because he challenges real life issues with honesty and integrity.

He is a proactive public representative, a formidable parliamentarian and a true son of the Kingdom.

Jim Griffin

11 Woodbrook Manor

Tralee

Co Kerry