Madam, – Dr Fergus McCarthy is absolutely correct to point out the near universal misuse of the term “mandate” in our political discourse in recent months (February 11th).
Fianna Fáil members were perhaps the only ones to consistently, and correctly, claim that this Government was in full possession of a legitimate mandate, with Brian Cowen observing on one of his final days in the Dáil that it was a “vacuous, stupid statement” on the part of those who would question this.
All the more surprising then that Brian Lenihan should suddenly find himself with cold constitutional feet, having to think twice about providing the necessary €10 billion to recapitalise Irish banks in his capacity as Minister for Finance.
A truly cynical Fianna Fáil stroke – and hopefully the last such one we have to endure for a very long time. – Yours, etc,