Let’s not forget those who made a difference

Gerard Howlin (Opinion, March 30) rightly praises the early leaders of this State for cementing our Parliamentary Institutions.

Yet, once again in the narrative of our country’s history, the name of the one person who, more than many, ensured the new Dáil Éireann operated as a properly functioning parliament was omitted.

I refer to Tom Johnson, first leader of the Opposition in the Dáil and first Parliamentary Leader of the Labour Party. I hope, as we proceed in this Decade of Celebrations, the contribution of this great friend of Ireland is not forgotten… again.