Sir, – Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith writes of the arrival of Sinn Féin into the democratic process ("Sinn Féin remains ever the apologist for the Provisionals", Opinion & Analysis, November 5th).
He mentions the risks taken by Albert Reynolds and Bertie Ahern “to find a way to bring into democratic politics people who had waged a bloody and illegitimate campaign in the face of the overwhelming and repeatedly expressed opposition of the Irish people”.
Doesn’t this quote by and large bear an uncanny resemblance to the circumstances leading to the foundation of Fianna Fáil in 1926? – Yours, etc,
PADRAIG Ó CALLANÁIN,
Foxrock,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – Brendan Smith’s excellent article is spot-on. They will never go away, you know! – Yours, etc,
PADRAIG O’FLOINN,
Wicklow.
A chara, – Eugene McEldowney ("Martin's attacks on SF smack of desperation", Opinion & Analysis, October 31st) stated, "While it is disappointing that paramilitary structures continue to exist so long after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, it should be remembered that the conflict lasted for 30 years". Who dragged it on for 30 years ? What was the specific purpose of the republican armed struggle? Northern Ireland "in its entirety" remains part of the United Kingdom. What does that say "about the status of the Stormont Assembly"? Is it basically a puppet British parliament? – Is mise,
MALACHY SCOTT,
Belfast.