Sir, - The recent suspension of Mr Mick O'Reilly from his post at the ATGWU is a sad day not just for the ATGWU and its members, but also for those of us who welcome the differing opinions articulated by Mr O'Reilly on issues such as partnership and the recent Nice Treaty referendum.
Whether one agrees or not, Mr O'Reilly at least puts forward an opposing and - as with the renegotiation of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness - an often correct viewpoint, thereby encouraging some debate, which is almost totally lacking at the present time, both at political and trade union level.
A significant minority of workers in this country voted against the last partnership agreement and, as we know, the Nice Treaty was rejected by the electorate; yet at both trade union and political level these views are not being represented, except by a few.
What is even more disturbing about Mr O'Reilly's suspension is the manner and timing of it. It was initially reported in the media as being connected to an "audit", thereby implying in the minds of listeners/readers some financial wrongdoing, when this, it seems, is in no way the case. Since then, other possible reasons for the suspension have been reported, none of which have been substantiated.
As Mr O'Reilly is not allowed to speak, we cannot know the truth.
As to its timing, it seems very co-incidental that it should happen the week before the conference of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and that because of it Mr O'Reilly cannot attend the conference and therefore cannot stand again for a seat on the executive of the ICTU. This will be a huge loss to ICTU, but more particularly to the workers it has a duty to represent and to democracy in Irish society. - Yours, etc.,
Helen O'Connor, Dublin 11.