Sir, – “Young FG group defies Kenny order to disband” is a headline I would never have expected to read in an Irish newspaper (Home News, October 3rd). Indeed, the whole article reads as if it could have been written for a newspaper operating in a country which does not support democracy.
Apparently, 10 newly elected Fine Gael TDs decided to meet on a casual basis in order to “put forward collective views on key manifesto issues at parliamentary party meetings”. However, when the Taoiseach became aware of the group he ordered it to disband. Ordered it to disband? The group complied with the order but “the party leadership became suspicious last month that the group had reformed and was secretly meeting again”. Became suspicious? Secretly meeting again? What on earth is going on?
I know Enda Kenny is the leader of Fine Gael, but I do not think that position gives him the right to refuse members of his party the right to meet, does it? I would encourage the group of young TDs to resume their meetings. They must be allowed to contribute to the debate which is the cornerstone of any democracy. – Yours, etc,