Madam, - Bertie Ahern's appeal to the White House not to heed the IMC report recommending sanctions against Sinn Féin/IRA is surely repugnant to most decent Irish citizens.
To go further and appeal on their behalf for inclusion in the St. Patrick's Day love-in with the President of the US is an appalling slap in the face for the hard work of the IMC and for our reputation as a mature and peaceful nation. A lot of the print media seems to have accepted this issue as unworthy of serious comment. What hope is there for democratic reform in Ireland with such a weak and fickle "leader" at the head of government? - Yours, etc.,
NIALL GINTY,
Killester,
Dublin 5.
****
Madam, - So Minister Dermot Ahern (of "it's only a matter of time till Sinn Féin is in government" fame) went off to Washington to persuade the US President not to cancel the boys' invitation to the White House for the Patrick's Day shamroguery bash. And as Bush owes us something for Shannon, he may oblige.
Plus ca change. So what has SF/IRA suffered for what the Taoiseach tells us was their part in the bank heist?
It is business as normal, keep the boys on line and don't hit them with the peace process in their arms because there is a danger harder men might take over.
Was all this huffing and puffing by Bertie and others only for the optics and to suit the public mood at the time - a sort of Scarva sham fight! - Yours, etc.,
BRIAN MCCAFFREY,
Clifton Crescent,
Galway.