Dining with Bush more critical than torture?

IN his article ‘Dáil must defend human rights and end CIA renditions debacle’ (Irish Examiner, February 13), Proinsias de Rossa MEP dashed the Government’s attempts to baffle the Irish people — and the rest of the world — about its complicity in US rendition flights.

The cynicism and cowardice of this secret support of torture manifested most starkly in the remarks of Tánaiste Michael McDowell in the Dáil, where he rejected calls for Irish condemnation of rendition practices as likely to lose the Irish an invitation to the White House St Patrick’s Day breakfast.

The Tánaiste, frankly, is a disgrace.

Perhaps the question should be put to the people in a referendum: do we turn a blind eye to torture to keep our standard of living or would we rather experience some privation and keep our humanity?

If it’s the latter, perhaps its time to send the Tánaiste packing and close Ireland’s doors to the US inquisition.

The American people will thank you — because the Bush White House doesn’t represent them any more than Michael McDowell represents the Irish.

Steve Harrington

Knockroe East

Allihies

Beara

Co Cork