Sir, - I do not intend to add to the welcome debate that has developed in these pages over the past fortnight, but I remain at a loss to understand the actions of our Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, in this post-Nice time. He appears to be touring Europe - dropping in on Polish press conferences et al - to tell all of the EU, and those who hope to become a part of it, that the Irish people got it wrong, and that we shall right our wrong soon.
My understanding of the process which has led us here is that there was a referendum (a ballot of the people for an amendment to our Constitution), on the Treaty of Nice and the people of Ireland voted as they saw fit. Instead of scolding us for the error of our ways, Mr Ahern should encourage and facilitate full and frank debate on the treaty and make some reasonable attempt to represent the voice of the Irish people as spoken, as he is elected to do, at home and abroad.
I feel like the child who is chastised, but is quite ignorant about what exactly, if anything, I have done wrong. I have disagreed with some of the results of various referendums, but understand the democratic process enough to accept them. Mr Ahern should follow suit. - Yours, etc.,
Anthony McGrath, Blarney Street, Cork.