Sir, - Mary Holland claimed yesterday that she was not aware of any public response from me on Tony Blair's important statement on the Famine. My response was probably lost in the midst of the political campaigning, but it is important for the record that your readers should be aware of what I said on Monday, June 2nd:
"I welcome the new British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair's acknowledgement of the historical tragedy that the British Government failed the Irish people during the Famine. It is an important statement that will contribute to the reconciliation of the Irish and British peoples. It will build confidence in what I hope will become a new era in Anglo Irish relations.
"People will no doubt recall that I called for such a statement some time ago, and was criticised by the Taoiseach for doing so. I notice that he too now recognises the value of such an acknowledgement of historical responsibility.
"I also welcome in the course of his statement Tony Blair's generous and unprecedented tribute to the contribution that successive generations of Irish emigrants and their descendants have made to Britain. That too will be helpful to harmonious community relations in Britain." Yours, etc.,
Leader of Fianna Fail.