Sir, Mr Padraic O'Farrell's piece in "Straight from the Arts" on July 11th contained inaccuracies and misinformation. The article concerned a recent legal action taken by the national executive council of the Drama Legion of Ireland. The decision to take this action was reached by the normal democratic process by the elected representatives of the amateur drama movement.
Mr O'Farrell says the matter was settled out of court. Yes, it was! But he neglects to mention that the DLI, as plaintiff, received a cash sum plus some documentation sought.
He says "Members complain about the NEC denying them details about their own membership constitution etc". The constitution was sent by post to any member who asked for it. The membership list is published in the current issue of the Newsletter
He speaks of concerned members nation wide. Apparently Ireland has shrunk considerably in size, since 70 per cent of the counties have made no representation at all. He speaks of many members seeking an EGM. Less than five per cent of members have properly applied for an EGM. The quota necessary for an EGM is 50 per cent.
Since our recent letter to members setting out the results of our case, the DLI has received no further correspondence concerning this matter.
Mr O'Farrell wishes to be fair! The chairman refused to state his case early in the dispute. As the DLI barrister had made it abundantly clear, nobody on the national executive was allowed to make a statement while the matter was ongoing.
All of this is the correct information, as is that in all our press releases, given the information available to me. I would hope that in future a more balanced and accurate picture of the national executive of the Drama League of Ireland would be made available to readers of The Irish Times Yours, etc., PRO, Drama League of Ireland, 37 Dun Emer Drive, Dundrum, Dublin 16.