Madam, - Liz O'Donnell is to be congratulated for her comments about "bashing Sinn Féin" (The Irish Times, April 20th).
The childish behaviour of some of her colleagues and some in Fianna Fáil, for selfish party political interest, could yet put the peace process at risk. A statement about the IRA without humbug and cant is probably a first by any politician in this country.
Ms O'Donnell has been a breath of fresh air in Irish politics and it is a shame she is on the back benches. She embodies the spirit of the PDs - or at least the spirit as it was when that party was founded. Unfortunately, under the dull and hectoring leadership of Mary Harney and the opportunism of Michael McDowell and Tom Parlon, the good ship PD has run aground. The PDs promised to be a party of integrity and honesty, a radical party that would redefine the political landscape in Ireland. Now they are little more than the right wing of Fianna Fáil, with their promises of honesty and integrity subsumed by the deceit and double-dealing of their coalition partner.
Liz O'Donnell deserves better colleagues and a better party. - Yours, etc.,
ALAN McPARTLAND,
Grange Court,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.