Madam, - It is heartwarming to see that, despite the daily illustrations of humankind's darker side, from drug-dealing to war-mongering, the Irish Government has not lost its faith in humanity.
Thus we have Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern unquestioningly accepting the "assurances" of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that Shannon is not being used for any "untoward purposes" - an interesting phrase - while Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan falls over herself to inform the nation that these "assurances" are unassailable - and that it is therefore unnecessary for Ireland to supply any evidence to the European Council's investigation of the matter.
Such faith in the trustworthiness of the US administration, in the face of overwhelming evidence - Abu Ghraib, the non-existence of WMD, the use of white phosphorus for "illumination", etc - is truly touching. - Yours, etc,
LOUISE SMYTH, Woodlands Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.