Sir, - We welcome the decision of the High Court in the case brought by Mr Anthony Coughlan to the effect that the State broadcasting authority acted unfairly in allocating excessive and unequal time to the Yes side in the divorce referendum. We hope that this judgement, taken together with the McKenna judgement, will ensure fair referendums in the coming weeks.
Muintir na hEireann was the only political party, fighting as a political party, on the No side in the divorce referendum. Yet, as leader of this party, my party and I were constantly excluded from even panel participation in RTE's divorce referendum programmes. We were ultimately forced to take a court action in the midst of the campaign.
The outcome was that the judge stated that the case was an important one, but was not one to be fought in the heat of battle. We are delighted that Mr Coughlan has continued to fight - to success - for fair and impartial radio and television coverage.
We now call on the Government to hold a referendum on divorce in which all the protagonists receive fair and equal treatment. - Yours, etc.,
Cllr Richard Greene,
The Palms, Roebuck Road, Dublin 14.