Madam, - In a few weeks' time, the Taoiseach will fly to Washington to present a crystal bowl of shamrock to President George Bush, the most powerful and most dangerous man on the planet. This annual ritual was originally meant to give symbolic expression to the historic connections between the peoples of Ireland and the United States and to further promote the cordial relations that have always existed.
It had particular significance a few years ago because of President Bill Clinton's commitment to the Northern peace process. More recently, however, the significance of this gesture has been entirely devalued because of the Bush administration's immoral, illegal and totally catastrophic invasion and occupation of Iraq and the collusion of Bertie Ahern's Government in the transportation of US military through Shannon Airport.
When George Bush's reputation is in tatters in his own country, it is time for the Irish Government to find an alternative way of expressing the continuing good relations between the peoples of the two countries. The present arrangement has become a hugely embarrassing sham and should be ended as quickly as possible. - Yours, etc,
JERRY CROWLEY, Belgrove Lawn, Chapelizod, Dublin 20.