A chara, - This year communities across the North of Ireland are once again subjected to terror, harassment and disruption during the "marching season". As I write, the Orange Order and its supporters - including the UFF - have gathered on Drumcree Hill. While Loyalist "heavies" tout guns in solidarity with their Orange brethren, the Garvaghy Road community holds its breath.
Against this background, the acknowledgement by the Meath Peace Group (Julitta Clancy, July 3rd) of the responsibility of elected representatives to defend the right to live free from sectarian harassment is welcome and timely. It is, however, disturbing that Ms Clancy views this obligation as somehow limited by "other responsibilities and obligations" contained in the Good Friday Agreement.
The reality is that the ultimate goal of mutual respect for identity and tradition can only be achieved in an environment where sectarian harassment is rejected and those perpetrating acts of sectarian harassment are challenged. The cessation of sectarian harassment is not an optional extra, but rather a bottom-line prerequisite for the realisation of the goals of the Good Friday Agreement. The annual siege of the Garvaghy Road clearly illustrates the distance we have yet to travel to meet this most basic requirement.
It is therefore most unfortunate that Ms Clancy should use the language of peace, reconciliation and diversity to sidestep the issue of communities experiencing harassment at the hands of the Orange Order and its supporters.
Contrary to Ms Clancy's assertion, the Irish National Congress did not oppose the Good Friday Agreement and is fully conversant with its provisions. No doubt she will be "delighted" to learn that we will continue to work to see that agreement implemented in full, in accordance with the wishes of the Irish people - Is mise,
Mary Lou McDonald, Cathaoirleach, Irish National Congress, PO Box 2814, Dublin 7, Ireland.