Sir, – Finian McGrath TD ("Independents join forces to launch national movement", March 23rd) is quoted as indicating, with respect to the proposed co-operation of Independents at the next election, that "a whip system would apply on economic and budgetary issues". This should cast a question mark over whether the term "Independent" can really be invoked when referring to any such grouping in the media.
By any meaningful interpretation, an alliance of Independents ought to be regarded as a political oxymoron. If co-operation is going to extend to any form of whip being applied, then in fact the grouping should, in the interests of fairness, formally register as a new political party.
For example, existing parties will be subjected to gender quota legislation at the next election, and even though the alliance would intend to caucus together, there would no formal onus for the alliance to meet a 30 per cent gender balance criteria in terms of total candidates sharing its election platform. Legislation should be introduced whereby any TDs coalescing under any form of whip system in the Dáil should always be regarded as a political party, and be therefore subjected to the same requisites that apply in elections to all other registered parties. – Yours, etc,
JOHN KENNEDY,
Goatstown,
Dublin 14.
A chara, – The news that Finian McGrath and Shane Ross are to form a new alliance with a view to entering government prompts questions as to how they might agree when difficult choices have to be made.
Mr McGrath had agreed a deal with Bertie Ahern in 2007 but just over a year later pulled out of the arrangement when tough decision were being made. He criticised the actions of the banks during the boom.
Mr Ross spent much of the boom extolling the virtues of Anglo Irish and Irish Nationwide.
I look forward to them explaining how they have now come to reconcile their opposing views and how they will actually be willing to take tough decisions on economic issues if in government. – Is mise,
Cllr MALCOLM BYRNE,
Gorey,
Co Wexford.