Voting and forming a government

Sir, – Fintan O'Toole decries the faults and failings of our "largely unreformed political system" ("Irish people do not get to elect a government", Opinion & Analysis, February 9th). But while he is right to point out deficiencies in our democracy, he is wrong to say that "we have little say on who is in government".

His article lacks perspective. He says the EU, which we voted to join and which is made up of nearly 30 democracies, is “dominated by unaccountable technocracy”. Within the lifetime of many, the whole of Europe, including this country, could have been taken over by totalitarian dictatorships. If that had happened, we definitely would have no say, and unaccountable technocracy would be the least of our worries. Unaccountable extermination of minorities could be on the agenda but there would be no elections.

Second, he fails to recognise the fact that democratic institutions are human institutions. Demands for what he calls “real democracy in which voting should be merely a token” is not just undervaluing the right to vote, it is totally utopian. The people of many countries would give a lot for our right and ability to vote to elect their public representatives.

Finally, when he scoffs at what he calls “the Whitaker consensus” of attracting foreign investment, being in the EU and solving the “national question” by consent, he is being irresponsible. At the present time, for example, the Ukrainians, the Syrians and indeed the Greeks would give a lot for our consensus. – Yours, etc,

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A LEAVY,

Sutton,

Dublin 13.