MARIAN HARKIN, TD,
Madam, - We write in reply to Emmet Stagg (November 2nd) concerning the Labour Party's demeaning and unnecessary deal with the Taoiseach.
The only thing surprising about the Labour Party's decision to release the Taoiseach from the scrutiny which he proves every day is vital to our democracy is that they did not even bother to ask the Technical Group if it would agree to the change.
The Labour Party, since it agreed to step aside in 1918, has honourably and effectively participated in the democratic process. It is therefore all the more extraordinary that should now needlessly abrogate its duty to provide the strongest possible opposition to the Government.
Mr Stagg is, of course, dishonest in his suggestion that the Technical Group comprises only ideological bedfellows and he chooses to misrepresent the "leadership" position of our group. He should know that Trevor Sergent is the first and current leader of the Technical Group, a position which will rotate, with a different person leading during the next Dáil session.
Mr Stagg regrets that so much time has been spent on this matter. He does no favours to his party by continuing to debate an issue which merely revealed his inability to advise his party effectively.
The matter could have been resolved without the huge concession Mr Stagg secured for the Government, and especially for the Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil. Mr Stagg is probably the person most culpable in this unnecessary and damaging débâcle for his party. - Yours, etc.,
MARIAN HARKIN, TD, Dr JERRY COWLEY, TD, Dáil Éireann, Dublin 2.