Sir - Sile de Valera's concerns about Irish identity are not totally out of place. Having lived in Ireland for the past seven years, and travelled it for the past 11, I would agree that the cultural identity of the Republic has changed rapidly. However, it has not turned at all European, not even superficially. Instead, Ireland is turning Anglo-American (as shown by TV programmes, newspaper reports, styles of music, style of politics, etc). Ms de Valera and Ms Harney clearly are more interested in the US than in Europe, and they might well represent Ireland as a whole in that respect.
On the other hand, if informed properly, many in Ireland might want to reconsider such a choice. A multinational, multicultural and multilingual EU might be a better place in which to safeguard Irish identities than that amorphous Britney-Spears-and-Man Utd culture foisted upon the island at the moment. Also, Europe might have different models to offer for such concerns as the environment, saving energy, urban planning, local decentralisation (something Dublin politicians are afraid of), social security and so on.
Many in Europe will feel their prejudices justified on hearing that Ireland has second thoughts about the whole EU project precisely at the time when it turns from being a net receiver of funds into a surprisingly rich nation expected to contribute to helping others who are worse off. - Yours, etc.,
Heinrich Hall, Frankfurt, Germany.