Madam, - Mary Lou McDonald may be a relatively recent convert to the Sinn Féin cause but in this election campaign she has proved herself a quick learner. At the party's European election manifesto launch (reported in your edition of June 2nd) she showed herself to be truly adept at engaging in the political hypocrisy and doublespeak for which Sinn Féin is notorious.
I take serious issue with Ms McDonald's assertion that this Government has undermined Irish neutrality. Fianna Fáil has been resolute and consistent in our position that all Irish involvement in peacekeeping missions, under the auspices of the EU or otherwise, must have UN authorisation.
This element of the "triple lock", along with the requirement of Dáil and Government approval, is the underpinning principle that has governed our military neutrality policy for many years.
It takes real brass neck for Sinn Féin - which has its own private army - to make bogus claims about an EU army. This is especially so given that the EU is about peace, not war. The European Union has enabled our generation to enjoy the fruits of the longest period of peace Western Europe has known. This area of peace and prosperity stands to be further consolidated through the historic enlargement of the Union that came into being in Dublin on May 1st.
In terms of unwanted wars, Sinn Féin should know all about this having spent 30 years trying to bomb this island back into the stone age.
Ms McDonald's comments about the United States and Shannon are another example of Sinn Féin's extraordinary appetite for biting off the hand that feeds it. Its members criss-cross the United States fumbling in greasy tills, seeking out the financial support of Americans. When their begging bowls were filled earlier this year, Sinn Féin's policy became clear: only people of whom they approve are entitled to have arms in Irish airspace.
The implementation of Sinn Féin policies by an Irish Government would lead to economic devastation and universal isolation. Sinn Féin's policies are as contemptible as its hypocrisy. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN O'DONOGHUE, TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Dáil Éireann, Dublin 2.