Madam, - As a member of the Labour Party for 28 years, I reject the proposal of Liz McManus that policemen and soldiers who were killed in the 1916 Rising should be commemorated as well as the Volunteers who died (The Irish Times, February 18th).
Regarding the police, should we also remember them for their brutal attacks on the workers of Dublin in 1913, some of whom died as a result? If we recall the soldiers killed in 1916, should we also remember the members of the military tribunal that sentenced James Connolly to death and the soldiers who tied him to a chair in order to execute him?
Unlike Liz McManus, I considered President McAleese's remarks on the Rising to have been measured and constructive. Ms McManus promises to keep an eye on Fianna Fáil regarding future 1916 commemorations. I hope not. Any more statements from her in the same vein will have them laughing all the way to the polling stations.
Finally, those of us in the Labour movement should direct our attention to ensuring that the part played by our movement in 1916 is not sidelined or confused. It will be if we have any more silly proposals emanating from our ranks. - Yours, etc,
SEÁN REDMOND, Lindsay Road, Dublin 9.