Sir, – The Department of Defence states (Home News, May 5th) that naming our new naval vessels after “world-renowned literary figures” will “facilitate greater recognition” for the Naval Service “in the international maritime domain”. This excellent objective would be facilitated to a much greater degree by accepting the frequent invitations to contribute naval assets to EU-led anti-piracy operations, which up to now have invariably been refused. After all, if countries such as Estonia, Finland and Romania feel it appropriate to participate in such operations, surely Ireland, with its frequently stated objective of being a maritime nation, should do so also. – Yours, etc,
FERGUS CAHILL,
Cúil Ghlas,
Dunboyne,
Co Meath.
Sir, – I have an open mind on whether the Department of Defence and the Government should name the two new Naval Service patrol ships after Nobel prize-winning Irish writers or after mythical female figures (Home News, May 5th).
The recently built and delivered LÉ Samuel Beckett falls into the category of being named after the Nobel prize-winning Irish writer. However, the second ship to be built and called the LÉ James Joyce honours neither a Nobel prize winner nor a mythical female figure. Joyce, although one of Ireland's most famous literary sons, was never nominated for the Nobel prize. – Yours, etc,
TOM COOPER,
Templeville Road,
Templeogue,
Dublin 6W.
Sir, – It seems to me that the decision to name the two naval ships after Joyce and Beckett wasn’t quite thought out; both writers left Ireland and finally never came back, hardly a favourable augury. Patrick O’Brian wasn’t Irish – but neither are the vessels – but liked to let on he was, and he did write what are regarded as some of the best sea-faring novels. He would have been a more obvious choice, but whoever named the ships had probably never read either writer. I can hear my late father-in-law, a merchant seaman, quietly laughing at the pretentiousness of it all. – Yours, etc,
EOIN DILLON,
Ceannt Fort,
Mount Brown,
Dublin 8.