Sir, - Mary Holland expresses the opinion (of others it seems) that Mary McAleese is an unsuitable candidate for the Presidency, the reason being that she sends the wrong "message" to unionists. May I respectfully suggest that we stop sending "messages" to unionists and decide what we as a State stand for, if anything. Mary McAleese, by all accounts, is a committed Roman Catholic and a nationalist. Is there something distasteful in this? Although I write as a non-practising Catholic, the majority of my fellow citizens - certainly of my parents' generation - are fervent Catholics. Would it equally make the slightest difference to unionist opinion were Ms McAleese to disown her nationalism? The Republic of Ireland is in a time of great flux and change. Our inferiority complex as a people, which underlies Mary Holland's column, is unworthy of an independent nation. - Yours, etc.,
From Padraig O Cearbhaill
Ceide Windsor, Baile na Manach, Baile Atha Cliath.