Madam, - How long do we have to wait for Gerry Adams and Sinn Féin to admit that the IRA has no legitimate part to play in Irish politics? It is now six years since the Good Friday Agreement was signed and, still, in various ways, the IRA is active.
As a serving local Labour Party politician, I know when I deal with elected councillors from other parties that I do not have to consider whether or not they might have any recourse to arms or other subversive activities. Even though I can relate well to local Sinn Féin councillors on a personal basis, I cannot have the same certainty where they are concerned. That is unacceptable.
Like other parties, Sinn Féin has a democratic mandate. That is the source of its legitimacy. Sinn Féin needs to recognise that and throw away the crutch that is the IRA.
Gerry Adams and other Sinn Féin representatives talk about respecting the mandates of other political parties. When the IRA is put to bed, we will believe them. - Yours, etc.,
Cllr ROBERT DOWDS, Castle Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.