A chara, - Paul Griffin's simplistic assertion (January 9th) that it is hard to imagine our current economic status without the introduction of British law, "conventions of civilised conduct" and language beggars belief.
Firstly, before 1169 Brehon law was as sophisticated for its time as what was to become the Common Law in England. Does Mr Griffin assume that Brehon law could not have evolved further and taken its place among the great systems in Europe? Similarly, the use of native languages for everyday communication between natives has hardly hindered the economic progress of the nations of mainland Europe and the Far East. The pervasiveness of English as the language of international commerce has been accommodated in such countries.
Mr Griffin's assertion of the beneficial aspects of the British "conventions of civilised conduct" is not worthy of reply. Even a brief synopsis of the "civilised" conduct they exhibited and the sectarian oppression this facilitated for their profiteers has filled countless volumes.
Also, have such "gifts" from Britain benefited other former colonies such as those in Africa?
Finally, Mr Griffin should reread his history books. The 1916 Proclamation was also written in Irish. - Is mise,
Robert Barrett, Ballinhassig, Co Cork.