Sir, - I have spent the last seven months in Melbourne, Australia on a working holiday visa. I have of recent gained access to the Internet and it is through your paper that I have been able to keep up to date with the peace talks and other news from home.
I live in a house of 13 people of whom the majority are Irish. Good Friday saw all of us sitting exhausted, in front of the television glued to Sky News and UKTV trying to grasp snippets of information. To have access to The Irish Times at a time like this was of great benefit I am writing to commend your coverage of the agreement of Good Friday. Your reports are clear and well written as well as being objective. Your "Path to Peace" special supplement covered all angles of the process as well as giving a historical perspective, which to those who not familiar with the history of Northern Ireland would be extremely useful.
Although I am having a great time "Down Under", part of me is sad that I am not at home to witness such events. What has been achieved by all members of the talks offers renewed hope for all those in Northern Ireland affected by politics and violence. There is light at the end of the tunnel. It was a day that will stay in my mind forever. - Yours, etc.,
Rachel Howard
Melbourne, Australia.