Madam, - Should we now take it that the Taoiseach has finally cleared up the uncertainty that has surrounded most of his statements regarding any future deals with Sinn Féin? Bearing in mind the "watertight" assurances he gave to the McCabe family, and to the people of Ireland, that Garda McCabe's killers would not be released under "any" circumstances, I think it would be prudent to hold back on the celebrations until we hear what he has to say when next confronted by Mr Adams at the hustings. - Yours, etc,
NIALL GINTY, The Demesne, Killester, Dublin 5.
Madam, - Bertie Ahern's statement on not sharing power with Sinn Féin after the next election reminds me of a similar pledge on the eve of the 2002 general election. "There will be no cutbacks, secret or otherwise," we were told.
That equally unambiguous pledge was broken, as will be the one made last weekend. - Yours, etc,
PHILIP RYAN, Turloughmore, Co Galway.
Madam, - How can the Taoiseach argue one day that he is a socialist and the next that he cannot go into government with Sinn Féin "on the grounds that their policies would severely damage the economy" (The Irish Times, November 14th)? - Yours, etc,
A LEAVY, Shielmartin Drive, Sutton, Dublin 13.