Sir - While I hate to challenge the utterances of the clergy, I feel it only fair to point out a number of inaccuracies in Fr Joe McVeigh's comments about Fine Gael policy on Northern Ireland (July 14th). However, I would like to welcome the complete somersault in Fr McVeigh's thinking on the North, given his previous statements. I seem to remember him as one of a number of "sneaking regarders" seen and heard throughout the 1980s. His conversion to Fine Gael's basic policy position - that it is only through agreement and respect for both communities that ultimate peace can be achieved - shows how far some people have moved from their aggressive and intolerant position of the last century.
Fr McVeigh is wrong to suggest that the Anglo-Irish Agreement was a "failed policy". On the contrary, under a Fine Gael/Labour government the Anglo-Irish Agreement became the cornerstone of a new relationship between Britain and Ireland. The Downing Street Declaration was a logical step forward from the progress that had been achieved under it.
Another piece of revisionist history in Fr McVeigh's letter is his suggestion that no progress was achieved in the peace process under the leadership of John Bruton. This is absurd nonsense. The framework document which later became the foundation of the Good Friday Agreement was jointly published by John Bruton and John Major. Some people would like us to forget that John Bruton established the initial multi-party talks process. Equally, the excellent chairmanship provided by Senator George Mitchell was brought about through an invitation from both governments at the time.
I found it very interesting that Fr McVeigh failed to mention the central person in putting in place the peace process, namely the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume. Maybe this shows a deeper prejudice - Yours, etc.,
Brian Hayes TD, Fine Gael Northern Ireland Spokesperson, Dail Eireann, Dublin 2.