Madam, – An unprecedented opportunity presented itself to the main opposition party in the timing of the Fine Gael Ardfheis and the lacklustre Cabinet reshuffle.
Both of which should have been platforms in their own right for a solid browbeating of the Coalition Government. Step forward Fine Gael with its two barrels aimed at its own feet. First barrel loaded with headline prior to ardfheis "Young Fine Gael rejects all of leadership's key reform plans" (Front Page March 19th). Second barrel loaded with headline from reshuffle "Varadkar rebuked over comments"(Breaking News, March 24th)! Gaping opportunities wasted, and two feet blown off. Reminds me of a scene from Father Tedwhere Dougal can't help but press the red button. If only it were a laughing matter. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Lack of proper local government funding is the biggest impediment to democracy in Ireland, not the Seanad nor the quangos. Fine Gael's refusal to contemplate domestic property tax is irresponsible and dishonest, it renders the party's notions of New Politicsas just more populist claptrap. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – After a quick perusal of the Constitution I was amazed to find that Fine Gael's proposals on the Presidency and the Seanad will involve 73 textual deletions across 19 articles, 67 sections and 54 subsections of Bunreacht na hÉireann. I am unable to quantify the number of consequential textual insertions required in sections relating to the Presidential Commission, etc. The expense will be enormous and I haven't met anyone who regards these changes as vital "to the empowerment of ordinary citizens". – Yours, etc,