Madam, - Vincent Browne's description of President McAleese's presidency as bland and safe is simply untrue (Opinion, January 7th). In her promotion of relations between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, one of the major focuses of her presidency, she has shown considerably more courage and imagination than most.
Uniquely among the political class, her emphasis has been on developing relations between ordinary people. Community groups, schools and voluntary groups from both communities in Northern Ireland have found a welcome in the Áras during her presidency to date. For many from strongly unionist and loyalist backgrounds, this was their first introduction to politics in the Republic.
Examples of her willingness to "explore the possibilities of the office" to promote the cause of reconciliation have included (but are not confined to) inviting members of the Orange Order to celebrate the Twelfth of July in the Áras, taking Communion in a Church of Ireland church and publicly urging more support for, and involvement in, cross-border activities. In all of these activities (and others), she risked unpopularity and spurned the opportunity to "play it safe" in order to promote better relations.
Her commitment and dedication deserves a lot more attention and support than it gets currently. - Yours, etc.,
TONY KENNEDY, OBE, Chief Executive, Co-operation Ireland, Herbert Place, Dublin 2.