Sir, - Brian T. Hickey (November 20th) says he was dismayed to read of the German government's intention to ban the National Democratic Party, which it accuses of promoting Nazism. He argues that "any infringement on freedom of speech is really an assault on the whole concept of democracy".
One wonders if Mr Hickey would concur with Sir Boyle Roche MP, a Member for Tralee in the Irish House of Commons in the latter part of the 18th century, when he said: "We should silence anyone who opposes the right to freedom of speech."
The fact is that the right to freedom of expression is not absolute and the solution to the problem is not that simple. But it would seem reasonable to be guided by Oliver Wendell Holmes, who observed that freedom of speech does not entitle one to shout fire in a crowded theatre. - Yours, etc.,
Myles Crowe, Old Brewery Lane, Clonakilty, Co Cork.