Madam, - John O'Connell (October 10th) is correct to point out significant past and present differences between the SDLP and Fianna Fáil. In fact, as the leading partner in the Irish coalition governments that contributed to the Sunningdale Agreement and the Anglo-Irish Agreement, Fine Gael would possibly be a more natural ally for the SDLP.
However, he refers to the SDLP's instinct as a "high-tax, high-spend" party. This highlights the fact that there is no fiscally conservative Northern Ireland party for nationalists to support. As the Republic's economy was largely built up on such an economic outlook, Northern Ireland should strive to follow its example.
Commentators such as Sir Anthony O'Reilly have promoted the idea of an all-Ireland corporation tax of 12.5 per cent. If a merger between the SDLP and either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil is to take place, I believe the new party should promote integrated economic policies of this kind. - Yours, etc,
JOHN KENNEDY, Knocknashee, Goatstown, Dublin 14.