End RTE bias

A Chairde,

One of the most interesting and shocking revelations about what goes on in RTE was made recently by Gay Byrne, who told us that he had been ordered by the management not to shake hands with Gerry Adams MP ``on pain of the show not being broadcast.'' It appears that this was the only time in the 37 years of the Late Late Show that this courtesy was not extended to a guest.

I think it is time for an inquiry into the behaviour of those who manage or control RTE. These people, because of their own political prejudices, attempted to demonise those in Sinn Féin who are working for peace. Their attitude is reflected in the hostile approach to Sinn Féin elected representatives when they are interviewed on news and current affairs programmes. Some presenters are particularly vicious and cannot hide their hostility to republican spokespeople. It is time this arrogant and insulting behaviour in RTE towards members of Sinn Féin was stopped for good. After all this is a public service.

Joe McVeigh
County Fermanagh

Prisoners back Sinn Féin

A Chairde,

The republican prisoners in Portlaoise prison urge voters to give their number one to Sinn Féin in the forthcoming elections. Sinn Féin is an all-Ireland party committed to the establishment of a truly national democracy. We believe Sinn Féin offers a credible and radical alternative to partitionist party politics. Sinn Féin has the most progressive policies of any party on a wide range of issues such as local government, the European Union, neutrality, the environment, women's issues, health, education, political corruption, justice and equality.

The republican prisoners fully support Sinn Féin's efforts to bring to fruition the terms of the Good Friday Agreement as negotiated, an agreement endorsed by the vast majority of the Irish people in the 32 counties. For unity, democracy and for peace - vote Sinn Fein.

John Crawley, PRO,
Republican Prisoners,
Portlaoise Prison.

Incredible peace group

A Chairde,

The Meath Peace Group asks Gerry Adams and republicans in general to seek ``a workable compromise'' on the stalemate in the peace process (Irish Times, 4 June). I understand that the British -Irish Agreement is already a compromise underpinned by the `voice of the people' in referenda north and south.

Should that be a suggestion for further compromise, review or stretch, this should be taken back to the people, their cast vote, until then, must be jealously guarded. The people have placed their `voice' in the hands of governments and politicians. They expect the British-Irish Agreement to be worked to the letter and the compromise that it already is. By its title, one would expect the Meath Peace Group to respect `the voice of the people' and to protect it. A credible peace/human rights group is about scrupulously honest analysis informed by history, current reality and an ettos and human rights based on agreed international standards.

Where peace/human rights groups evolve into perfectly legitimate polarised political movements, one would expect them to identify themselves as such. Tampering with the British-Irish Agreement is hardly a credible suggestion from a peace group.

M. M. McCarron.