Sir, - In response to Karen Carleton's letter (July 24th) accusing Padraic O'Farrell of giving misinformation with regard to the activities of the national executive committee (NEC) of the Drama League of Ireland (DLI) and its members, I would like to point out a few little pieces of misinformation that she has offered herself.
I find it extraordinary that she can claim that "all the information she has given is correct", including "press releases". A member of the editorial team of the DLI Newsletter resigned "due to business reasons", according to the DLI. This is untrue, he resigned because of what he termed "implied censorship".
She states that the decision to take legal action was reached democratically by "elected representatives of the amateur drama movement". No representative of the DLI was elected at the AGM in October 1995. The members of the NEC were selected, and at least one was selected in absentia.
She writes that the constitution of the DLI was sent to any member "who asked for it". She neglects to say that the request was acceded to only after several solicitors letters and a delay of four weeks. She claims that "70 per cent of the counties made no representation at all". To date, concerned members nationwide have written support from 20 counties and this does now published in the current edition of the News letter. At the time of writing (July 25th) the Newsletter has not reached the secretary of my own group.
DLI is not a county based organisation. It is organised in areas. And may I point out, with some concern, that there are no representatives from either Connacht or Ulster on the NEC. At the present time, no notification has been given to members as to where and when the AGM of the organisation will be held. This gives little or no time for groups to organise motions for discussion.- Yours, etc.,
(Co-ordinator of Concerned
Members Nationwide),
Battery Road,
Longford.