Sir, – While the referendum results were obviously a slap in the face for the Government, particularly the Green Party which drove the proposals, the margins should also be a wake-up call for the NGO industrial complex that advocated a Yes vote.
Over the last couple of decades the so-called social partners have had enormous influence over the direction of the country.
As someone who is not a trade union member, a farmer, a clergyman or a member of the alphabet soup of self-elected organisations, my only voice has been the ballot box; an Opposition or backbench TD has less influence than the CEO of one of the multitudes of “charities” and lobbying organisations.
The Government and Fine Gael in particular need to show backbone and listen to its voters rather than pandering to a vocal minority. – Yours, etc,
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MATTHEW GLOVER,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
