The race for the Áras

Sir, – It is refreshing to see all the presidential candidates embracing the democratic process and the hopes of representing…

Sir, – It is refreshing to see all the presidential candidates embracing the democratic process and the hopes of representing our nation. Which of them will now question the absurdity that our largest minority, the non-religious, are barred from the process because a religious oath is required to take up the post of president of our Republic? – Yours, etc,

DICK SPICER,

Sugarloaf Crescent,

Bray, Co Wicklow.

Sir, – The media interest in any subsequent letters written by Senator David Norris on behalf of Ezra Nawi is a sensationalist way of expressing what is, to all intents and purposes, a form of faux-liberalist homophobia.

The fact that Mr Norris has expressed both private and legal privilege as the terms on which the release of these letters cannot take place will, of course, go unheeded by those who wish to pry, unhesitatingly, into his affairs. Of course, one can argue that such affairs are no longer private, given the presidential role for which Mr Norris is running. But where, in this situation, does such prying on behalf of public and political interest and wellbeing end, and the insidious desire on behalf of some to reaffirm the link between homosexual identity and paedophilia begin? One cannot deny that part of what is at work here is a bandwagon, both moralising and unjust. – Yours, etc,

ADRIAN GOODWIN,

The Waterfront,

Clarke’s Bridge, Cork.

A chara, – Having listened to and read two weeks of interviews, discussions, reports and pontificating columnists concerning Martin McGuinness’s bid to be president, I am flabbergasted at the single-track nature prevalent in the coverage to date. Asking questions of Mr McGuinness’s past is perfectly legitimate and necessary, but asking the same questions over and over again without any reference to his more recent past is completely unnecessary and somewhat baffling.

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It is clear to all that Martin McGuinness was in the IRA but moved on to play a prominent role in the peace process. While the DUP and others in the Six Counties have accepted this fact and are capable of working well with Mr McGuinness, those in the media and political life in the Republic seemingly will not.

However, it should be noted that our media and politicians have a record of assessing important political matters incorrectly. When the peace process began there was a backlash here against people such as John Hume, who was castigated for his efforts. Now, particularly since Mr McGuinness’s bid was announced, Mr Hume is pointed to as the heroic originator of the peace process.

At the end of the day, Mr McGuinness’s candidacy, even if unsuccessful, will have been worthwhile. It will have shown that no longer should we in the South look arrogantly northwards to lecture but we should look humbly northwards to learn. – Is mise,

EF FANNING.

Whitehall Road,

Dublin 14.

A chara, – Gay Mitchell’s campaign slogan states that he “Understands our past, believes in our future”. What about the present? Is that a foreign country for Fine Gael? – Is mise,

MICHAEL NASH

The Crescent,

Carrickmines Green,

Dublin 18.

Sir, – John Waters is fighting yesterday’s battle when he warns against the presidency being cheapened by association with trendy liberal agendas (Opinion and Analysis, September 30th). Mary Robinson faced similar suspicion in 1990. Irish society has moved on since then, thanks to the way such leaders as Mrs Robinson and Mr Norris have championed a broad vision of human rights. – Yours, etc,

JOSEPH S O’LEARY,

Sophia University,

Chiyoda-ku,

Tokyo.

Sir, – John Waters writes, “A president who happens to be gay is like a president with blue eyes or a bald head: his or her homosexuality is neither here nor there. We did not elect Douglas Hyde or Eamon de Valera because they were ‘straight’ – if indeed they were”. Is Mr Waters seriously suggesting that if Dr Hyde or Dev had announced back in the 1930s or 1950s that they were practising homosexuals, the plain people of Ireland would have turned a blind eye and elected them to the office of president?

Mr Waters does not even begin to understand what it was like to be a gay man or woman in Ireland back in the mists of time. He clearly knows nothing about discrimination against gay people. He is clueless about the fear, the misery, the prejudice, the ruined lives, the addictions and the suicides associated with the lives of gay people before David Norris came along.

I have known Mr Norris for 35 years, ever since the days of the Irish Gay Rights Movement. He stood up for his rights with the brave few and risked everything. It is thanks to Mr Norris that gay people today can live without fear, injustice and discrimination. It was, and still is, his greatest achievement and a wonderful legacy. – Yours, etc,

PATRICK O’BYRNE,

Shandon Crescent,

Phibsborough, Dublin 7.

Sir, – “We did not elect Douglas Hyde or Éamon de Valera because they were ‘straight’ – if indeed they were” (John Waters, September 30th). I don’t wish to sound pedantic, but whatever about de Valera, “we” (ie the people) never got the opportunity to “elect” Douglas Hyde to the office of the president of Ireland. – Yours, etc,

PAUL DELANEY,

Beacon Hill,

Dalkey, Co Dublin.

Sir, – I have read your profiles of the candidates (September 29th), and I was surprised to see no reference to David Norris’s description of Pope John Paul II as “an instrument of evil” and to his description of the present Pope as an ex-Nazi.

I consider that such a person is not fit for the office of presidency, given his outbursts and lack of diplomacy and tact. If he were president, who knows whom he might insult next? – Yours, etc,

MICHAEL DONNELLAN,

Merval Park,

Clareview, Limerick.

Sir, – Is Kellogg’s Special K sponsoring Mary Davis? – Yours, etc,

PAT WHELAN,

Millmount Avenue,

Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

Sir, – Brendan Quinn (September 30th) accuses me of factual inaccuracy in stating that “there was no fighting” at Boland’s Mills in Easter Week, 1916.

There was indeed no significant fighting at Boland’s Mills. The position turned out to be so marginal that Éamon de Valera actually decided at one point to abandon it. There was, of course, serious fighting at nearby Mount Street, but Dev was not involved. Indeed, one of the great mysteries of the Rising is his failure to reinforce what was, militarily, by far the most effective rebel position. – Yours, etc,

FINTAN O’TOOLE,

Tara Street, Dublin 2.