Sir, - Whoever wrote the heading "Nobody asked the candidates about foreign policy" for Mary van Lieshout's otherwise excellent World View (June 14th) not alone misled many readers, but also misrepresented many. I most certainly did ask six of the candidates in my Dublin NorthEast constituency about Irish aid, armaments and Third World debt. I know many many, others who raised such issues. I am confident that thousands, if not tens of thousands, raised foreign policy issues in the 41 constituencies.
I trust that the incoming Government will recognise the importance of global development issues now that we are part of the European Union. It is reassuring that both the Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrats' election manifestos commit those parties to substantial Irish aid increases - to 0.45 percent of GNP, in Fianna Fail's case. I also note that action is promised on human rights, Third World debt and on the huge destructive European Union arms trade, including landmines, to Southern countries. - Yours etc.,
Bayside Walk,
Dublin 13.