Sir, - The Taoiseach has ruled out participation in government with Sinn Fein until that party "has resolved its relationship with the IRA". It would be most helpful to know precisely what the Taoiseach means by such a requirement of Sinn Fein.
Mr Ahern's support for that party's participation in the governance of Northern Ireland without such a prerequisite is a little puzzling. Can it be that the Taoiseach does not regard the relationship between the IRA and Sinn Fein as inimical to democratic values there as well? - Yours, etc.,
Tony Moriarty, Shanid Road, Dublin 6W.