Madam, - As I sat and watched the Taoiseach address the British houses of parliament on Tuesday, I not only felt proud to be an Irishman; I felt proud to be from these islands that make up Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland - five distinct nations with an incredible history both rich in culture and tarnished by conflict.
Through geography, language, sport and popular culture we have more in common than any other five nations in the world. Decent as Bertie's speech was, he neglected to pay tribute to the symbolic day at Croke Park in March when national and cultural antagonisms were truly shattered.
For that day was about more than just sport; it was about a new relationship between our peoples. For this reason I believe Bertie had an opportunity to use a very symbolic word that in times gone by would have been provocative and unacceptable - "union." These islands are now "united" in our common goals of economic prosperity, peace, democratic values and social justice. We are united in respect of our distinct cultural identities and we are united in our shared past.
Finally we have come of age, and I feel proud to be part of this period in history. - Yours, etc,
JAMIE MACKEN, Kells, Co Meath.