Sir, – It was interesting to read that people were calling Tánaiste Micheál Martin tetchy and a grumpy old man (“Micheál Martin dismisses Fine Gael accusations that he is ‘tetchy’”, News, November 4th).
I am guilty of commenting on the Tánaiste’s mood but, on reflection, I would have a different take now.
The Tánaiste suggested that those comments were ageist. He recently spoke about how he was a politician of substance and not a soundbite public representative, which led many people to question whether he was having a subtle dig at Taoiseach Simon Harris and Fine Gael, but the Tánaiste insists that he was not having a go at anybody.
Mr Martin denied that he was grumpy and he was at pains to say that this was something being put out into the ether by Fine Gael mandarins.
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Does it really matter whether the Tánaiste is moody or not?
What the electorate wants to hear from these two parties is their policies.
We all get irritable from time to time.
Micheál Martin can be testy, as can Simon Harris, as can all politicians, and all people.
Get over it.
With an election in the offing, both parties are going to fight each other and push back against what the other is saying.
I am just wondering whether it was judicious for Fine Gael people to attempt to undermine the Tánaiste by focusing on his irritability when surely Fine Gael will need Fianna Fáil transfers and Fianna Fáil will need Fine Gael transfers.
Let’s not forget that their best chance of getting back into government is with each other after the election. – Yours, etc,
JOHN O’BRIEN,
Clonmel,
Co Tipperary.