Sir, – It’s clear from Eamon Ryan’s article that he has missed the two essential points for the Green Party following the election (“My colleague’s text – ‘l’ve been eliminated’ – spoke for how we all felt in the Green Party”, Opinion & Analysis, December 3rd), the potential Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael coalition are not blocking the Greens. The voters did that.
The Green Party delivered no significant progress on climate change. Instead of tackling the core climate issues at source (industry and production), we are asking every household to reduce the impact those activities create.
Until those issues are recognised by the Greens, I don’t see them having much future electoral success. – Yours, etc,
MARK O’CONNOR,
Loughlinstown,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Fine Gael’s coalition condition of “parity of esteem” is the height of arrogance from the third-largest party in the Dáil. Their election posters should have read “A New Entitlement”. – Yours, etc,
NIALL MURPHY,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – To increase voter numbers in future elections, the Elon Musk strategy of monetary enticement may be worth exploring. In the words of Father Ted, “Everyone loves a good raffle!” – Yours, etc,
AIDAN BOYLE,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – It is heartening to see that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are looking North for inspiration as they try to form a new coalition government. In addition to their quest for “parity of esteem’”, which is a key component of the Belfast Agreement, might they also consider a First and Deputy First Taoiseach arrangement? – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL WILSON,
Belfast.
Sir, – I dread to think how anaemic a new Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael coalition would look without its Greens. – Yours, etc,
JOHN SHEERAN,
Drogheda,
Co Louth.
Sir, – Ahead of us are months of turgid negotiations for the formation of the new government. Hours upon hours of chat will choke up our airwaves, and hundreds of inches of newspaper columns will speculate on possible outcomes, potential deals, demands made and offers refused. Pundits are estimating it will be well into 2025 before agreement will be reached and the new government is formed.
In order to reduce the agony, could we as a people consider applying the rules of the papal conclave to this process? All newly elected members could be locked in one room. They would have no communication with the outside world – no papers, no TV, no phones, no interviews, no comments. In order to sharpen their focus, as each day goes by without agreement their food rations would be reduced. Each morning and evening a vote for a coalition would take place. Black smoke for no agreement, white smoke when the government has been decided. Imagine the speed of agreement.
Imagine the peace for those of us outside the room. – Yours, etc,
FRAN O’REILLY,
Kinvara,
Co Galway.
Sir, – Now that the general election is over can we remember all the pre-election promises made by the victors or, more importantly, can they?
A chart of promises would be useful so that they can be ticked off. It would be interesting to see how many remain unachieved in 2029. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN MURPHY,
Dublin 6W.
A chara, – If Sinn Féin reach out with an olive branch to their former colleagues Brian Stanley and the Aontú pair, they would have enough seats to enter government with Fianna Fáil. – Is mise,
PASCAL Ó DEASMHUMHNAIGH,
Inis Corthaidh,
Co Loch Garman.
Sir, – The Christmas dinner table will be provide for interesting debates for extended family gatherings on Government formation. It seems it will be January before the various political parties will talk turkey. – Yours, etc,
MIKE MORAN,
Dublin 3.
Sir, – Why stop at the rotating taoiseach arrangement? Let’s extend it to ministers, junior ministers and super-juniors! – Yours, etc,
HELEN NOONAN,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – As Ireland works to form a new government, its leaders must demonstrate leadership by prioritising happiness as a measure of true success for the nation and its people. Happiness rests on three pillars: meaningful work, strong relationships, and a sense of purpose. A visionary government could foster these by championing policies that promote work-life balance and job satisfaction, investing in community-building initiatives, and prioritising mental health support. Ensuring equitable access to education and opportunities would empower citizens to find purpose and fulfilment in their lives. By embedding these principles into the national agenda, the new government would not only cultivate happiness but also build a more resilient and cohesive society. – Yours, etc,
ENDA CULLEN,
Armagh.
Sir, – I must disagree with Sean Mooney (Letters, December 2nd) and defend the present system of manual counting at elections. While Mr Mooney acknowledges a certain scepticism towards electronic voting, I believe his comments on the counting process are wide of the mark.
Far from being “archaic,” “gratuitous”, or “inexpedient”, I believe the current system has integrity, transparency, a high degree of trust and, most important of all, legitimacy. The acceptance by defeated candidates of unfavourable outcomes – sometimes after rechecks and recounts – in constituencies like Tipperary North, Cork North Central and Louth support this. Those brave enough and public-spirited enough, of all parties and none, who put themselves forward for election at considerable expense – financially, emotionally and in terms of time – deserve a comprehensive counting process. While this is, undoubtedly, an expensive process, I believe it delivers value and is not a ridiculous waste of time and money, contrary to what the writer suggests. We should not see a repeat of the brutal and unedifying “Computer says No” scenario when Nora Owen lost her seat in 2002. – Yours, etc,
TOM GIBLIN,
Drogheda,
Co Meath.
Sir, – Contrary to Fintan O’Toole’s assertion (Opinion & Analysis, December 2nd), Irish voters have not done the same thing while expecting different results. They have ejected the Greens and are expecting different results. – Yours, etc,
KEVIN O’SULLIVAN,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
Sir, – While bad weather was a factor in the turnout figures (and possibly benefitted the outgoing government parties other than the Greens), a below 60 per cent turnout indicates a worrying disconnect from the democratic process by two-fifths of the electorate.
We are looking at a return of the same government with a slight tweak but with very little fresh thinking or vision for the challenges of the next five years. We are also looking at an Opposition who only became serious as an alternative in the last week of canvassing and seemed content to hurl from the ditch up to then. Labour and the Social Democrats should not get carried away with seats gained as they were mainly at the expense of the Green Party. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL FLYNN,
Dublin 13.
Sir, – Simple solution to division of spoils after election if Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael go into coalition, based on their number of TDs. Fianna Fáil with 48 TDs and a combined total of 86 with Fine Gael, so 48/86 = 0.558.
With a possible 60 months of a revolving taoiseach, this equates to 33/27 split for both parties. Also 15 senior ministries would be split 8/7.
This solution might appeal to a Dáil with lots of teachers? – Yours, etc,
TONY CONWAY,
Glounthaune,
Co Cork.