Madam, - Your letters page published yet another dreary republican rant by Tom Cooper (June 29th) under the headline "Commemorating the Somme". One particular paragraph stands out as a prime example of skewed thinking.
He states that "awards and titles of nobility" have been conferred upon Irish citizens by the "British State" and that this should be seen as an "infringement on Irish sovereignty", an "attack on Bunreacht na hÉireann" and that "The Government have remained silent on this matter".
I fail to see how the voluntary, personal acceptance of awards or titles by Irish citizens is any concern of the Government of this country, or how it could be construed as an attack upon any aspect of its sovereignty or constitution.
The Government "remains silent" upon the awarding of honours from other countries, the Légion d'Honneur, for example. But I very much suspect that Mr Cooper would not bother putting pen to paper regarding this howling silence. - Yours, etc,
FERGUS BEATTY, Leixlip, Co Kildare.
Madam, - The Somme Commemoration in Dublin last Saturday was a dignified, significant and highly symbolic occasion. While the prayer offered by the head chaplain of the armed forces was entirely appropriate it seemed very strange that no representative of the reformed churches was asked to participate by way of a scripture reading, a prayer or a blessing.
This seems out of harmony with the regular practice of State-organised occasions such as the National Day of Commemoration. It was an unfortunate omission considering the ground-breaking nature of the event as it affects sensitivities in North/South, Irish/English and British Isles/International relationships. - Yours, etc,
ROBERT DUNLOP, Brannockstown, Co Kildare.
Madam, - When paying my respects to our war veterans on Saturday I was disgusted to find the Chapelizod Gate access to Islandbridge along the Liffey denied. One had to walk right down to the ceremony only to find the gate locked.
Many other people had to turn back and were disappointed. Perhaps the OPW, who were responsible for signage, thought the broken bottles and nettles were enough of a deterrent and nobody would bother to use the walk-way. I met some tourists on the walk and is this the way to treat them? - Yours, etc,
DES BYRNE, Glasnevin Park, Dublin 11.