Madam, - I heard the full speech by the Taoiseach at the launch of the new dialogue process. I was part of the Humanist Association of Ireland (HAI) delegation. Many commentators have focused on Mr Ahern's criticism of "a form of aggressive secularism" which allegedly argues that the State should be intolerant of religious belief. This reference, unclear as to whom it referred, was a very small part of a wide-ranging speech.
The Taoiseach also said the Government had to respect and provide for the important and growing non-religious section of Irish society. The HAI has not sought and will not be seeking, a State which is intolerant of any belief but will, through the dialogue process, be seeking to ensure that the State treats religious and non-religious people in a fair, equal and neutral manner.
Currently the Constitution, a number of laws and several areas of State policy discriminate against those of no religion. We look forward to engaging with the Government regularly to address these deficiencies and to put the respect the Taoiseach referred to into practice. - Yours, etc,
BRENDAN SHEERAN, Director, Humanist Association of Ireland, Glenageary, Co Dublin.