GEMMA HUSSEY,
Sir, - There is nothing quite so funny as a politician in full bluster. Make way for John McGuinness TD, valiant advocate of truth and straight talking (Opinion, Oct 2nd). He exhorts his party and the Government to give leadership. And not just any old leadership, but "leadership from the front" - difficult to achieve among members of a party busy scratching each other's backs.
You have to admire him, though, for keeping a straight face while telling us the public "can see through the election hyperbole" - I bet quite a few readers choked on their porridge over that gem.
But it gets better. He goes on to remind us (in reference to the "defence issue", as he calls it) that we should consider "the tens of thousands of Irishmen who fought for freedom in two World Wars", thus inadvertently making a case for the No campaign and its concerns on neutrality. Whatever about fighting for freedom in the second World War, the first was a mindless slaughter. The Somme, in particular, saw the finest of the Irish troops from north and south obliterated in an hideous bloodbath that went on for months. Clearly, Mr McGuinness's grasp of history is as tenuous as his leader's grip on the branches of trees in north Co Dublin.
Fortunately, he is willing to share not only his hopes with us, but his fears too, mainly "that the No campaigners will exploit the negative mood in the country, brought on by local and international bad news of one sort or another". Once a whinger, always a whinger, right John?
Happily he ends on a reassuring note, confident that Bertie Ahern will quickly find his feet and do what is necessary to restore confidence; Homer but nods.
As an example of self-inflated windbaggery this article is hard to match, except perhaps by some of the characters in Doonesbury. - Yours, etc.,
A.M. O' SULLIVAN,
Thormanby Road,
Howth,
Co Dublin.
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Sir, - For 10 years this foundation has worked in eastern Europe with women of the former Communist-dominated countries.
This work involves trying to restore self-confidence, helping them to overcome suspicion, equipping them with the tools of modern democracy - in short, overcoming the insidious effects of decades of repression of the ordinary human spirit. What we have tried to do is to leap-frog the lost years of development to help these women play the key role in their countries' growth which they long to do.
One of the great advantages I found in doing this work was the very positive attitude towards Ireland. All of these countries were, and are, fascinated to learn about Ireland's progress towards political stability and economic prosperity. They have made it clear that since Ireland carries no baggage of colonial or cultural imperialism (as they see it), the message from Ireland was welcome and doubly effective.
Now our friends in eastern Europe wait for the Irish verdict on their ambition to join the EU community of nations. They want to look west, and are very afraid that some of their former leaders who wait in the wings would be only too happy to turn their backs on the EU and look again towards the east.
The transition from the Soviet "command economy" and political repression has not been easy for many of these countries, and is still causing hardship and difficulties for large sections of their populations. It has taken courageous politicians with a long-term vision to persuade their people that democracy and the market economy will work in the long run.
I will certainly be voting Yes on October 19th, and I hope I will be able to report to the large number of friends we have made all over Eastern Europe that Ireland warmly welcomes them into a new and inclusive European Union. - Yours, etc.,
GEMMA HUSSEY,
Director, European
Women's Foundation,
Dartmouth Square,
Dublin 6.
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Sir, - This doesn't come in a brown envelope but it's language they'll understand. I will vote Yes in the re-run of the Nice referendum, if Fianna Fáil will re-run the general election before Christmas. Don't laugh - I'm deadly serious. - Yours, etc.,
LIAM J. McMULLIN,
Manor Court,
Knocknacarra,
Galway.
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Sir, - Roger Cole (September 26th) accuses the "élite" of "forcing the Irish people to vote again" on the Nice Treaty, and claims that "the case for a Yes vote is advocated by those who offer nothing but threats and personal abuse". At the risk of stoking the fires of his paranoia even further, may I comment on what Mr Cole would prefer this country to do with regard to the military arrangements the European Union is putting into place, as part of its attempts to respond to the sort of violent conflicts we have witnessed in the Balkans.
Roger Cole is not the only advocate of a No vote who would have us follow the example of Denmark, which 10 years ago acquired an opt-out from any future EU defence policy. The Danish model was motivated in part by a fear that a EU role in military co-operation would undermine NATO, of which Denmark is a long-standing member. Given the absence at that time of a serious attempt to co-ordinate member-state military policies in the EU context, this position did not then seem to incur negative consequences. But now that the EU has agreed a policy framework, including the much misunderstood Rapid Reaction Force, Danish governments are finding their isolation is less than splendid. It means in effect that (a) they have no determining say in the future evolution of overall policy; and (b) they can make no military contribution to any specific operation, even if there is clear public support for it.
In short, Denmark's abstentionist stance is starting to look like a recipe for futility. This is becoming more widely appreciated in Denmark, though it seems unlikely the Danish people will be offered a chance to think again before the next EU treaty is negotiated.
When I exercise my own free will and vote Yes on October 19th, one of the reasons "forcing" me into the polling booth is because I do not wish Ireland, like some sad Celtic Ostrich, to join Denmark in this particular cul-de-sac.
Yours, etc.
PATRICK KEATINGE,
Palmerston Gardens,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.
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Sir, - Peter Feeney has stated (The Irish Times, October 2nd) that my criticism of RTE's coverage of the Nice Treaty referendum represents an unwarranted attack on RTÉ journalists. This is completely untrue.
I have made it very clear that the disproportionate coverage for the Yes side is the result of editorial decisions at a higher level and is not the fault of individual reporters, who maintain the highest journalistic standards.
It is up to Mr Feeney and the steering committee to ensure balance during the referendum campaign, and to date, regrettably, this has not been achieved. Instead, RTE has continued to kowtow to the Fianna Fáil/PD Government.
This is perhaps understandable, given that it desperately needs a licence fee increase from these parties. However, Mr Feeney ought to remember that these are the same people who supported Ray Burke's unscrupulous treatment of the national broadcaster, which was motivated by corrupt payments. The Burke legacy continues with the unsupportive attitude of the present Coalition: the cutbacks in RTÉ are having a devastating effect on morale and services.
Peter Feeney should recognise who his friends are. The Greens have always been firm supporters of public service broadcasting (and the licence fee increase). We see it as an essential component of a vibrant democracy. The real test of RTÉ's democratic credentials is whether it covers the Yes and No sides with fairness and impartiality, giving equal coverage to both sides. I look forward to Mr Feeney and the steering committee correcting the current imbalance. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN GORMLEY, TD,
Green Party Chairman,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2.
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Sir, - As one who voted No in the first Nice treaty referendum last year, I feel the compulsion to reverse my vote this time. But the more news I hearfrom the Fianna Fáil front, the more I want to give them a knee in the groin - electorally speaking.
Admittedly, I am a practising left-wing pinko, but I am damned if I'll accept the tag of " dingbat". The things they're saying about Fianna Fáil in the pubs in Drumcondra these days aren't fit to print. - Yours, etc.,
KATHRYN MULREADY,
Calderwood Road,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 9.
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Sir, - The Young Fine Gael poster will not influence me to vote Yes in the Nice referendum, but it will definitely influence me to vote No to Fine Gael at any time in the future. - Yours, etc.,
PATRICK J. McCARTHY,
Silchester Road,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.
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Sir, - I am somewhat perplexed by the sexual innuendo in the Young Fine Gael poster advocating a Yes vote. Are Nice girls not supposed to say No? - Yours, etc.,
PADRAIG
Ó HUALLACHÁIN,
Leeson Street Upper,
Dublin 4.