Madam, - The St Andrews deal marks the end of the delinquent philosophies of Paisleyism and militant Sinn Féin republicanism.
The fact that Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams, together with their parties, are now committing to the essential principles of social-democratic, consensual government with a commitment to the rule of law is to be welcomed. If their desire to be social democrats is sincere, then - since imitation is a form of flattery - I am greatly pleased to welcome the DUP and Sinn Féin into the real world where the SDLP have been waiting for them for 36 years.
I also wish them every success in their attempts at forming a government.
However, not long ago George Mitchell, former chair of the peace talks, alluded to Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams when he referred to the "twin demons of Northern Ireland - violence and intransigence" which "feed off each other in a deadly ritual in which most of the victims are innocent" (March 1997).
Since we all know that the cycle of violence that afflicted our country, North and South, was primarily caused by these "twin demons" of "violence and intransigence", is it not now past time that Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams stood up and accepted responsibility for their roles in the Troubles? They could at least apologise on behalf of the groups of people who supported them.
Their repentance would be a truly Christian act and would confirm that they have genuinely changed at heart. - Yours, etc,
JOHN O'CONNELL, Derry.
Madam, - Prior to the commencement of the ritual back-slapping concerning a Northern Ireland power-sharing agreement, perhaps the politicians and protagonists could explain why it took countless atrocities to achieve something that should have been attained so many years earlier? Or am I just wasting my time asking? - Yours, etc,
LIAM POWER, Srahanarry, Bangor Erris, Co Mayo.