Sir, - How pleasing it was to read An Taoiseach's comments in Co Wexford asking Irish people to "reject racism and prejudice wherever we find it". Mr Ahern has been criticised in the past for not being vocal in condemning the growing emergence of racism in Ireland. Let us hope therefore that his comments receive the coverage they deserve and that they serve as a reminder that judging people because of the colour of their skin is disgusting and painfully stupid.
Mr Ahern is right, we are moving more towards a multicultural society and we should embrace this diversity. When we reflect on the fact that our first rock star was Phil Lynott, that possibly our greatest footballer was Paul McGrath and that one of top female artists is Samantha Mumba, surely we will see that racism should have no place in Ireland. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr: "I pray that one day people will be judged on the content of their character rather than the colour of their skin". - Yours, etc.,
Andy O'Callaghan, Pearse Street, Dublin 2.