Sir, Ten years ago, not to put too fine a point on it, this country was in the doldrums. People couldn't wait to get out, like rats off a sinking ship. Now, Ireland has pulled itself up by the bootlaces. We have an improved economy, due to those who stayed put and made a go of it. Our national pride has been reawakened, thanks in no small way to our President, Mary Robinson, who transformed the job in the Park from being the political equivalent of a home for retired horses to one of dynamism, verve, and, dare I say it, panache. With her leadership and example, Ireland is now going places, and has the reputation of being the friendliest little country in Europe, if not the world.
And the rats are suddenly awakening to their Irish heritage! They wish to partake of all things Irish, including meddling in our internal affairs by voting. Denise Cunha Kelly writes from Switzerland, no less (Irish Times, November 26th), to take me to task, and, by so doing, illustrates my point precisely. Her admission that a high number of expats would be inclined to feel that Ireland has abandoned them" reinforces my contention that persons with such chips on their shoulders would be inclined to vote mischievously, in order to "teach the old country a lesson." The outcome of such actions would be unthinkable to those of us who have remained behind.
Ms Kelly, as a woman, would do well to look to her own adopted country. Does not that idyllic land of cuckoo clocks and cowbells have a rather .. . . er, dubious record of women's suffrage. - Yours, etc.,
Castle Avenue, Clontarf,
Dublin 3.