Sir. - There was no need for Dr Keith Wilson-Davis (Otober 12th) to get hot under the collar because I pointed out the misuse of a word. As a writer, I am concerned about such matters, and when peacemaking in Ireland is at stake, patriotism plays a role.
It isn't a "quibble" to point out that "to decommission" weapons, ships. aeroplanes does not mean to hand them over or to destroy them, but merely to put them out of service, and usually, to preserve them. The Americans also all it "mothballing", as when clothes are stored away protectively in wardrobes or trunks.
Dr Wilson-Davis is right: what is decommissioned can be "recommissioned", and that is what the IRA did with its weapons when it ended its ceasefire. But surely that makes my point. It is unhelpful to parrot Mr Major and Sir Patrick in their misuse of "decommission", when what is meant is something quite different, namely. to hand over surrender" or "destroy".
Dr Wilson-Davis's quarrel is with the English language. not me. Yours, etc.,
Portobello, Dublin 8.