Madam, - As there would seem to be some confusion and not a little mischievous observations regarding the fate of Fianna Fáil, may I inform those knowledgeable correspondents who would seem to have such a sense of destiny about where the party is going?
Fianna Fáil was once described by the late Sean Lemass as a "slightly constitutional party" and it is as a member, and with this very much in mind, that I define my republicanism. Eamon de Valera undertook to spell out at every opportunity in many capitals of the world, the evils of partition and the entrenchment of the British against legitimate Irish nationhood.
Now, more than ever, our dictum should be, "United we stand, divided we fall". The period ahead could see achievements in every major area of social and economic policy that will give a totally new shape to Irish society and to a new Ireland.
However, we must never forget our roots, our aims or our ultimate goal. Fianna Fáil was established by men with open-neck shirts and no arse in their trousers, the men of no property, and the day we forget that, we will have lost our way, our aims, our origins, and ultimately our goal. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL J. STOKES, PC, Willington Green, Templeogue, Dublin 6W.