Madam, - The latest two Irish Times/TNS mrbi polls have put the combined "core" FF & FG vote at 43 per cent, their combined figure excluding don't knows is 52 per cent.
The only cogent argument put forward against a FF/FG coalition in the past (apart from their irrational mutual animosity) has been that the resulting government would be too powerful with too many deputies to allow for any effective opposition.
Clearly with 48 per cent of the voters choosing other options this argument should be laid to rest.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are parties who share the same values and ideology. They are both parties of the centre right, financially and socially conservative by tradition and instinct.
It is time to end the civil war. The Irish people deserve a real choice at the next election - let it be FF & FG on one side with parties advocating change and modernity on the other, instead of the usual tweedle dum versus tweedle dee with whoever will come along to make up the numbers. - Yours, etc.,
PETER FitzPATRICK, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia