Madam, - If Bertie Ahern does not go - now - I must and will vote No to the Lisbon Treaty.
Bizarrely, his own attempts to appeal to us, the people, over the heads of the Mahon tribunal have only confirmed his unsuitability to be chief executive of our country - let alone represent us in Europe and the world. He simply does not share, or even understand, the standards, values and aspirations towards which we poor divils struggle out here in the real world.
This is a sad and tragic end to a career containing genuinely historic achievement.
In normal circumstances, it would be absolutely and absurdly wrong to use a referendum on a European treaty as a domestic referendum on a Government or a Taoiseach. But these are not normal circumstances. We face a national crisis, not just in Government and governance, but in the economy and society. Trustworthy and credible national leadership are now essential.
The Dáil majority which Bertie Ahern constructed deliberately with such technical genius (but sordid purpose) last summer is frozen in moral paralysis. To preserve him, the members of the Cabinet look the other way, even as their individual personal integrity and credibility wither on the bough.
So what can one meagre and insignificant citizen do? Though it breaks my heart to do so in this manner (on what should be an issue purely about the planning of our future in Europe and the world), I can use my vote - the gift and duty bought for me by blood, sweat and tears and bequeathed to me by those dead generations. As just one feeble voice, I can send a clear message now that I will vote No. And hope that there might be one or two others who, reading this, will do the same, acting humbly but with pride to vindicate their own honour and self-respect as citizens of our precious, sacred and beautiful Ireland. - Yours, etc,
MAURICE O'CONNELL,
Oakpark,
Tralee,
Co Kerry.