Sir, - I was in France during the referendum count and effectively out of contact with the media - vocal, visual or written. Hence, my surprise when approached by an excited Dutchman, who opened his remarks: "Once again Ireland has saved Europe." He had just heard the result on his radio. He was highly pleased that Ireland had rejected the Nice Treaty as were many other Europeans of different nationalities with whom I spoke. I was proud to be Irish and European.
Since my return I have felt greatly insulted by the suggestion from our political leaders that because I have not supported the Nice Treaty I am not a committed European. I have supported this Government on many issues but not on everything, and I do not feel any less Irish. Again, I supported the last government on many issues but not on everything and I did not feel any less Irish.
The European leaders who assembled in Nice were not infallible. I support many of the policy issues that emanate from the EU, but not everything. I do not feel any less a committed European for this. - Yours, etc.,
J. Flood, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.