Madam, – Is it fair that the Green Party should now suffer for having spent the past three years in government with Fianna Fáil? For my part, I will again vote Green because I have seen 16,000 new jobs created in the green economy during a recession; because Ireland now ranks second in Europe for renewable energy; because cohabiting couples – gay or straight – now enjoy legal protection under civil partnership legislation; and because my community is protected from the rezoning disasters of the past being repeated as the new Planning Act makes sustainable planning a legal requirement.
This winter, as members of my extended family found themselves snowed in, they also found themselves in warmer and more energy efficient homes, having availed of the national insulation scheme.
My own home is heated by a wood pellet burner – not dependent on dwindling oil supplies – as a result of participation in the greener homes scheme.
The Green Party, in its short time in Government, has successfully delivered on promises and policies based on sustainable economic growth, civic responsibility and the protection – not exploitation – of our environment and our citizens and should be applauded. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I note with interest the British government’s consideration of the European Court of Human Rights decision that prisoners in the UK should be afforded the right to vote.
It has reminded me that a significant proportion of Irish citizenry is not entitled to vote, whether in prison or not. I refer to Irish citizens living abroad. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – In a cynical but ham-fisted political manoeuvre, Fianna Fáil emptied its front bench and announced an election for a date fittingly close to the Ides of March.
In that season of remembering, I expect that voters will remember that Fianna Fáil has also emptied our pockets, our paypackets, our pension investments, our workshops, offices, hotels, restaurants, houses and apartment blocks but, worst of all, it is daily emptying our towns, villages and homes of thousands of young people who constitute our greatest hope for the future. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I don’t know why it was necessary for Fianna Fail TDs and the Green Party to condemn Brian Cowen for trying to pull a stroke last week. History has shown that Fianna Fáil and its leaders have pulled strokes for years: Jack Lynch and the rates; Charlie Haughey and his wealthy cronies; Bertie Ahern and developers and his promise “A lot done and more to do” and the mismanagement of the economy since 1997 at least. The Green Party was warned by Trevor Sargent about going into bed with Fianna Fáil.
Good riddance to them all. Thank God all the Rottweilers resigned before they faced the electorate. At least we do not have to listen to their waffle over the coming weeks. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Your website last Thursday was saying the country would go to the polls on March 11th. I’m pretty sure you meant the Germans. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Having watched Joan Burton’s unbelievable and disgraceful behaviour on the Vincent Browne show on TV3, I am struck with the sinking realisation that there may be a fate worse than Fianna Fáil. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – In response to Tom Gilsenan reference to Lanigan’s Dáil (January 24th): “The girls and boys they got all entangled/ And that put an end to Lanigan’s Ball” (Dáil?) – Yours, etc,