While I appreciate the strength of feelings expressed against Flynn, a leading figure in Haughey governments, I very much resent the inherent illiberality that suggests that the former commissioner should have been denied a public platform at the Humbert School.

Criticisms against Padraig and his daughter Beverley were ventilated on RTE's Sunday Show hosted by Leo Enright, on which I was a panellist, and during which reference was made to Nuala O'Faolain's column in last week's Sunday Tribune.

"The temptation to give Fianna Fail an enforced rest from government . . . for their own good . . . was greatly increased by the arrogance of the Haughey rump at the recent Humbert Summer School, " Nuala wrote. "I personally don't think P Flynn should be being celebrated much less P Flynn be celebrated for celebrating Haughey."

This was the Dublin 4 columnist at her most peevish, handing out righteous judgements from her armchair with inglorious ignorance of the essential fact that the Humbert School was merely paying a debt of loyalty to Haughey and Flynn for their help 20 years ago in establishing it as a major public policy forum.

Nuala's strident tone was in marked contrast to her recent column in which she waxed admiringly about Haughey's lifestyle and taste. The Mother Macree of Irish columnists risks being branded as having become as inconsistent in her musings as the erratic Vincent Browne.

John Cooney, Founder-director, Humbert Summer School cooneyjohn@eircom. net