A chara, - I was very impressed to hear on RTE television's Questions and Answers the account given by Mrs Mary McAleese of her work to bring about a ceasefire in the North and of the manner in which she brought her influence to bear on the task of helping to bring peace and reconciliation. She did not give us this information until forced to do so to defend herself against an unwarranted and unworthy attack on her credibility by Mr Derek Nally.
The election of a President to represent us at home and abroad is at any time very important, but especially so at present when the successful progress of the peace process may mark a turning point in our history. It is incumbent on us now to elect the candidate most qualified, most able and most suited to represent us - especially in continuing and extending the excellent service given by our former President, Mrs Robinson. I am quite convinced that Mary McAleese is the most suitable candidate, considering her learning, her achievements, her great ability and the respect in which she is held., During the election campaign it has sometimes been stated that a high standard of learning is not necessary as a qualification for the Presidency. Mrs Mary Banotti said in a television programme that a person in Ballaghaderreen told her "that our first President Dr Douglas Hyde had only three weeks" of formal teaching. Mrs Banotti should know that Douglas Hyde was a student in Trinity College and later a Professor of Irish in UCD whose lectures I attended there for three years.
All of our previous Presidents were people of considerable learning, some of them distinguished scholars. I think it is desirable that our President should, if possible, be a symbol of the great love of learning which characterised our people throughout many centuries and also the widespread desire for education and culture which animates our young generation.
I have witnessed much of our history during the present century since the time when, as a child, I saw O'Connell Street in ruins in 1916; and I remember my father in his school reading from a supplement of The Irish Times an account of the leaders who were executed. The terror of the Black and Tan period and, worst of all, the horror of the Civil War were bitter and bloody conflicts. I felt that the bloodshed in the North was slipping in the same direction.
Owing to the intellect and great statesmanship of John Hume and the help of others such as Mary McAleese, such a calamity has been prevented. I felt early in this campaign that a psychological Border towards our Northern candidates existed in the minds of some of our journalists and came to the surface in some interviews. I am now glad however, to see that they are received with more warmth and generosity. - Is mise,
Sean O Casaide,
Merton Drive, Dublin 6.