Sir, - We would like to respond to some of the correspondence arising from Dr Ruth Dudley Edwards's article (February 5th).
The comment of one of our members concerning our political minority not being prepared "to go to the back of the bus anymore" was of course intended in a metaphorical sense. Clearly the discrimination suffered by ethnic minorities in the US was of a different nature, but the analogy has some validity. The Platform report makes it clear time and time again that other "mindsets" in this State have been calculatedly marginalised and "unacknowledged". It also urges that in the interests of pluralism, an end is put to this narrow-minded policy.
As Dr Dudley Edwards pointed out, the new Article 3 recognises "the diversity of . . . identities and traditions" on this island, but if this State will not even acknowledge our community's existence, how can it do something about satisfying our aspirations? This ostrich-like approach applies in our correspondence with Dr Mansergh, special advisor to the Taoiseach, as Dr Edwards indicates.
Reform does not pursue a unionist agenda but urges the Irish State to work through the British-Irish Council of the Isles to form closer formal relations between the peoples in this archipelago.
Contrary to what Mr Linehan, states (February 8th) there are very many people throughout this country who are (not "feel themselves" to be) partly British. He only needs to look at the border counties where many of our members come from. As for the reform of the Constitution, like many others in this country, including Mr Des O'Malley, we seek the substitution of a shorter, civic constitution which does not define Irishness in a monocultural, exclusivist way.
M. Doorley wisely points out (February 10th) that this country should become pluralist if it is serious about unity. We would, however, like to see a pluralist state come into being not just to appeal to Northern unionists, but because it is morally incumbent on modern democracies to treat their minorities in an inclusive way. - Yours, etc.,
Ian Beamish, Robin Bury, Derek Simpson, The Reform Movement, Military Road, Killiney, Co Dublin.