LOWERING THE FLAG

LINDA STANLEY,

LINDA STANLEY,

Sir, - Cllr Matt Carthy (April 11th) is amazed at the decision to fly the Irish flag at half-mast following the death of Britain's Queen Mother. I would like to think that this was a symbol of improved relations between the British and Irish, and that we should look on it as a sign of moving forward, rather than backwards. - Yours, etc.,

Roscrea,

LINDA STANLEY,

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Co Tipperary.

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Sir, - Brian Hunt (April) tells those who question the decision to lower our flag to "grow up". Contrary to what he may think, I don't assume that "our sovereignty or national identity" is threatened by such a gesture. However, I do question why we should lower our flag in sympathy for a foreign monarch that did nothing for us and meant nothing to our country.

Then again, simply telling people to "grow up" is a nice, easy way of avoiding discussion (one that is used by revisionists quite a lot). - Yours, etc.,

DERMOT SHORTALL,

Hodogaya Yokohama,

Japan.