A chara, - The removal of bilingual signs from the students' union in Queen's, because they caused offence to Protestants, should be borne in mind the next time somebody starts orating about "accommodating the two traditions in Northern Ireland". Some traditions, it seems, are more equal than others.
The comment of Mr Bob Cooper, of the Fair Employment Commission, that there is an element of "tokenism" about the signs, is, I imagine, much closer to the mark than the utterly ridiculous view of Mr Peter Weir, of the Ulster Young Unionist Council, that they represent "the epitome of sectarianism and cultural imperialism". But Mr Cooper's argument cuts both ways: the less real substance there is in the signs, the less justification there is for Protestants taking offence at them.
Mr Ray Mullan, of the Community Relations Council, says that Protestants feel alienated by the Irish language. So what? Unless I am misinformed, Protestants feel far more alienated by the Catholic religion. Does this means that all Papishes should be expelled from the North forthwith?
It is not necessary to have any sympathy with republicanism, to feel that the most fitting comment on the incident is that of Mr Kevin McQuillan, of the Irish Republican Socialist Party: "The fact that unionists can't even stomach bilingual signs shows the spirit in which they will be approaching talks next month at Stormont. So much for parity of esteem."
So much, he might have said, for those who have been bending over backwards to secure Unionist participation in the talks. - Le Meas,
Tomas O Gormain,
Baile An Teampaill, Baile Atha Cliath 14.