Madam, - In your Editorial "Contradictory verdict" (May 19th) you express puzzlement at the electorate being unhappy about the paramilitary intentions of the IRA, and at the same time indicating that Gerry Adams was the "second most popular leader in the State", with an "increase in his satisfaction rating".
But in the public opinion poll that you refer to, the voters were not asked whether or not they were satisfied with Mr Adams or whether he was popular in their eyes.
They were asked: "Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way the following [including Mr Adams\] are doing their jobs?" So those polled were being asked whether or not Mr Adams was doing a good job as Leader of Sinn Féin.
And it would be quite possible to think that he was, and at the same time be opposed to what he stood for. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN GOODWILLIE,
Old County Road,
Dublin 12.