Rule of law in the North

Madam, - Dr Ian Paisley is reported in your edition of November 28th as stating that "the kernel of democracy" is "obedience to the law".

Unfortunately, it can similarly be argued that "obedience to the law" is the kernel of totalitarianism. Only when the law emerges from the freely given consent of the people can obedience to it be considered the kernel of democracy.

The Good Friday Agreement laid a framework for bringing these conditions to Northern Ireland.

I wish the good Dr Paisley and the president of Sinn Féin God speed in giving full effect to it. - Yours, etc,

EUGENE O'SHEA, Convenor, Northern Ireland Policy, The Green Party, Dublin 2.