Madam, - Vincent Browne's is one of the few voices raised in opposition to the free ride of Mary McAleese to a second term. Thank goodness for a free press which provides a voice for the feelings of the electorate given the collapse of the opposition in the face of the juggernaut of Fianna Fáil.
All three parties have shown themselves, despite their sound and fury, to be mere shadow-boxers on the opposition benches. And each of their leaders has shown the white feather instead of the brave heart. Nor was a great deal of money necessary for the fight; all the public wanted was a debate on the importance and the role of the highest office of the land. We were expecting too much.
With the shameful cop-out by Kenny, Rabbitte and Sargent, what is the prospect now for a rainbow coalition? Like the rainbow in the sky it came and went, fading dismally on its first outing.
Sadly, it is a measure of the esteem in which the presidency is held when worries about the expense of a contest and the winning of a by-election get priority. The public will not easily forget this betrayal of the democratic process at the next general election.
The important question must be asked: which comes first in the league of decency - the electorate's choice of a vote for the office of President or your party's self-interest? - Yours, etc.,
JOHN F. FALLON, Boyle, Co Roscommon.