Sir, – The resignation of Willie Penrose TD from the Cabinet due to the impending closure of Columb Barracks in Mullingar is absurd. Over the course of the lifetime of any given government, every constituency could be potentially subjected to cutbacks of some description. This holds more true now than perhaps any other time since the 1980s. We cannot have every minister resign over every cut that affects their constituency, especially since a TD’s first responsibility is to the welfare of the State.
It is galling to think a TD is willing to give up an influential Cabinet posting, through which Deputy Penrose could give his opinion on all major affairs of State, on what is essentially a parish-pump issue. All politics shouldn’t be local. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – The resignation of Willie Penrose on a matter of principle (the principle being mind your seat at all costs) provides a perfect illustration of the old adage that all politics is local and also confirms that most of our TDs are basically local politicians, glorified county councillors for whom the interests of the constituency take precedence over the interests of the nation. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Is Willie Penrose unique? A politician who actually keeps his word. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I suppose Willie Penrose will now be confined to barracks for a lengthy period for his act of gross insubordination (sorry) for taking a principled stand on an emotive issue? Given the nature of Irish politics, I’d say his confinement will be a pretty solitary one. – Yours, etc,