Sir, - In his criticism of the Irish Government, the Lord Laird of Artigarvan clearly displays a social conscience (February 12th). He refers to the "considerable misunderstanding about the full extent of the Irish Government's obligations under the Good Friday Agreement". He also points out the "tardiness of the Irish Government in fulfilling those obligations". The good Lord also claims that many people responded to his appeal in your columns for information about the infringement of basic human rights throughout the Irish Republic.
While not wishing to question the bona fides of the Lord Laird, and being in agreement with him on the obligations of all the signatories to the Good Friday Agreement, perhaps he might consider using his influence to compel the first minister, Mr David Trimble, to comply with a high court order to restore cross border ministerial meetings which he banned contrary to his obligations under the Good Friday Agreement. He might also give some thought to the rights of the minority in the north of Ireland, which is under the jurisdiction of the British parliament, and whose understanding of a good Friday is one when a pipe-bomb is not thrown into their homes on that day.
Perhaps the Lord Laird of Artigarvan might even attend the unveiling of the famine memorial in Scotland by An Taoiseach Mr Ahern, if and when it can be rearranged following its cancellation due to fears of sectarian attacks. - Yours, etc.,
Tom Cooper, Knocklyon, Dublin 16.
