Here’s to their good health, and mine

IMAGINE my surprise on learning from the Irish Examiner (February 19), that the giant US conglomerate, Cardinal Health, a company of 50,000 employees in 22 countries on five continents, indicated their intention to set up a plant in Longford back in December 2000 just to get me elected to Dáil Éireann in May 2002.

I never would have imagined that my political fate was foremost in their thoughts.

This publicly listed company generously spent €1.2 million securing a site on the outskirts of the town.

They also apparently organised that the board of the IDA should get in on the act, and approve State funding to bring the value of the proposed investment up to $100 million. I am flattered, to say the least.

The company, which is the largest provider of health care products and services in the world, even sent George L Fotiades, Cardinal's president and chief operating officer, all the way from Ohio, to announce this initiative imagine coming all that way, just to help get me elected.

I have never witnessed such generosity and unsolicited goodwill. I really should send them a card.

Mae Sexton TD

Leinster House

Kildare St

Dublin 2