Sir, - Ms Hanna Dangel Dowling (February 13th) cites a question posed by Poles: "How is it possible that Irish people lost their mother tongue and still maintain their distinctive national identity?"
With all due respect, the short answer is: they don't, in fact (maintain a distinctive national identity). But it is true that they do hate to admit this, or to recognise that, given the innumerable circumstances which link - and subordinate - Ireland to England (including the crucial fact that the great majority of the Republic's population prefers to have English as its sole language), the political independence of the Republic is, inevitably and progressively, more English shadow than Irish substance. - Do hara,
Baile an Teamphaill, Baile Atha Cliath 14.