BUREAUCRACY and political sensitivity have finally foiled attempts to add a small symbolic touch of continuity to President Bill Clinton's links with Ireland. The lectern used by John F. Kennedy to address the Oireachtas in 1963 was offered for use by Mr Clinton during his visit last year but refused in several places. More recently, hopes were dashed that it could be employed at yesterday's St Patrick's Day party in the White House.
The 19th-century music stand is in the possession of Irish Times reporter Mark Brennock. In 1963 his father, then assistant director of the Army School of Music, loaned it to Leinster House. It was bought in a shop in Fishamble Street and Comdt John P Brennock cycled the length of George's Street and Camden Street, past Cassidy's Pub, with one hand on the bike and the other on the stand, to Cathal Brugha Barracks. After the Kennedy visit it was returned to him with a small plaque indicating by whom and where it had been used.
Two months before the Clinton visit, our man Mark wrote to the US Embassy saying he had it, that he knew President Clinton was a great admirer of the late JFK, and offering it for use during the visit. Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith was said to be interested; members of the US advance team were keen and a couple of Irish politicians, North and South, rowed in to help cut through red tape.
But obstacles emerged. The 1995 Leinster House authorities deemed it unsuitable as they now use two lecterns specially made for such occasions. It was then offered for the two presidential functions in the North. Discreet inquiries raised the spectre of unionist sensitivities". The use of a rather well-crafted piece of wood, with plaque, would cause upset to some, it was alleged.