LABOUR PARTY OBSERVERS

Sir, - On the "Today at Five" programme on August 27th, Mr David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party stated: "People like…

Sir, - On the "Today at Five" programme on August 27th, Mr David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party stated: "People like Joe Costello, Sile de Valera, and others within the nationalist political spectrum in the South [were] standing shoulder to shoulder with the IRA". That is a silly remark.

My Labour Party colleagues, Declan Bree TD, Tommy Broughan TD, and Senator Sean Maloney and myself went to Drumcree, the Lower Ormeau Road and Derry at the invitation of local community groups to observe the Orange, Apprentice Boys' and nationalist marches this year. On the basis of what we saw, we published reports and made recommendations on how to avoid future confrontation. Likewise, the work of my Labour Party colleagues and myself in seeking the transfer to Ireland of Irish prisoners serving sentences in English prisons has been directed towards promoting and advancing the Peace Process.

Incidentally, at the request of the Apprentice Boys themselves, we observed the Apprentice Boys' march in Manor Cunningham, Co Donegal, on August 10th. Further at the suggestion of Apprentice Boys in Derry, we have recently written to their general secretary seeking a meeting.

David Ervine should also remember that I organised a public meeting in Liberty Hall last summer exclusively for representatives of his party to present the loyalist viewpoint, that they did so very well, that we had a few drinks afterwards and that I provided them with accommodation for the night. If he or some of his people have difficulty in understanding what we are doing, then we are willing to meet them at their convenience. - Yours, etc.,

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Dail Eireann, Dublin 2.