Madam, – Liam Twomey’s claiming of the Michael Collins commemoration for Fine Gael reminds me of the IRA’s de facto claiming of the Tricolour as “their flag”. Like the flag, the legacies of Michael Collins (and Seán Lemass, for that matter) are the property of the Irish people as a whole, not one political party. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I read with astonishment the sentiments of Senator Liam Twomey (August 12th). As an advocate of partisan politics, nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see elected officials engage in heated debate over national issues and policy agendas.
However, the Senator’s decision to take on such a piffling non-issue appears petty and petulant. I am no supporter of Fianna Fáil, however this species of criticism causes one to question whether the current Opposition possesses the intellectual rigour and sagacity to govern. Senator Twomey would be well advised to return to more pressing matters and leave his historical and parochial prejudices in the past. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Senator Liam Twomey (August 12th) is unhappy that a Fianna Fáil minister is addressing the annual Béal na mBláth commemoration, and states that Brian Lenihan’s speech will give Fianna Fáil an aura of acceptability that they will only abuse.
I disagree. Fianna Fáil has the annual farce at Bodenstown. Let them have Béal na mBláth as well. Let them continue to blaspheme the cause and disgrace the memory of those they commemorate, while once again showing that Irish political life is beyond parody and satire.
We have all moved on since the Civil War. “The Republican Party” are welcome to their last refuge. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The opening line of Liam Twomey’s letter: “I do not see why a Fianna Fáil Minister like Brian Lenihan, whose predecessors murdered Michael Collins should be making the oration at the Michael Collins commemoration in Béal na mBláth on Sunday, August 22nd”, is an extraordinary statement for a public representative to make.
Leaving aside the historically dubious nature of his contention, it is difficult to understand what Senator Twomey’s motivation would be in making an intervention such as this.
The invitation to Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan was extended by the organising committee in a spirit of generosity, recognising the extraordinary changes in relationships between the differing political traditions on the island in recent years. The contrast with the churlish nature of Senator Twomey’s comments could not be greater. – Yours, etc,