After the referendum

Sir, – The referendum was portrayed by parties opposed to it as a one demanding further “austerity”, a pejorative term for spending…

Sir, – The referendum was portrayed by parties opposed to it as a one demanding further “austerity”, a pejorative term for spending reform. If they believe this, and given that the treaty referendum was passed by a significant majority, will those parties now accept that the electorate have provided the Government with a strengthened mandate for such reform? And will the Government finally get off the fence and start implementing these reforms in a significant way, as they promised to do in their election campaigns, starting with useless quangos, over-representation in parliament, gold-plated State salaries and pensions, etc. – Yours, etc,

JOHN THOMPSON,

Shamrock Street,

Phibsboro, Dublin 7.

Sir, – I sit here watching the referendum results coming in and feel disillusioned with my country. I read this morning that the DDDA is to be closed down and forgotten, with not one person held accountable for the purchase of the Dublin bottle factory (Front page, June 1st).

Nobody has been brought before a court to explain why €450 million was paid for a site that was actually worth only half that according to “experts”.

And now, today, the population of this country accepted complicity in this by voting for more austerity while money flies out of the country to pay off debts that went to fund the likes of the Dublin bottle factory purchase.

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Have we learned nothing? I know we are not a stupid nation. I know we used to be a proud nation; but where has that gone? When did the land of saints and scholars become the land of nodding sheep?

Have we really no respect for ourselves any more? How can hundreds of thousands of right-minded people, who stood tall a few weeks back in their Leinster jerseys – loudly supporting something that is frivolous and unimportant, suddenly sell that same pride when it comes to something that is so crucial? I feel ashamed today. – Yours, etc,

DARREN WILLIAMS,

Sandyford View,

Blackglen Road, Dublin 18.

A chara, – I wish to congratulate all the people who made the effort to vote on fiscal referendum on Thursday.

If you voted Yes or No, it means you used your right to vote.

Those who did not vote should stop moaning and whingeing about the state the country is in. – Yours, etc,

JAMES H MILLIKEN,

Richmond Road,

Fairview, Dublin 3.

Sir, – Now that the referendum is over and the Government has secured a Yes vote, how long before the household charge and water charges are back on the agenda? It was as if they didn’t exist during the referendum campaign. I am sure most people will be delighted to see Phil Hogan back on our TV screens again . . . we missed you Phil, welcome back!! – Yours, etc,

JOHN WHYTE,

Shannon Park,

Ennis, Co Clare.

Sir, – Am I alone in wondering why it is necessary to close primary schools the length and breadth of the country to facilitate any type of national election or referendum vote?

I find it incredible that an entire day of schooling for thousands of children can be sacrificed so needlessly when we have any number of adequate public buildings and vacant State-owned buildings that could be easily used.

Maybe in future, any or all of our State-owned banks could be used to facilitate voting in a secure environment and our children can get the education they deserve? – Yours, etc,

DECLAN GIBNEY,

Mount Saint Benedict,

Gorey,

Co Wexford.