Sir, – A historic day. The first time since the foundation of the State that an amendment with complete cross-party support has failed. The arrogance of the political elite has been exposed. The disgraceful political elite attempted to push through this amendment piggy-backing on the near irrelevant presidential election. The political elite did not want to discuss the issues, not one poster supporting the amendment was put up. The political parties hoped that people would remain in the dark on the issues and vote it in along with the hugely populist 29th Amendment. The arrogance and egoism of the Minister for Justice has been exposed, his complete dismissal of any opposition arguments backfired. The people educated themselves on the issues and rejected this blatant power grab. The people declared in one voice that we do not trust politicians with this power. My faith in democracy has been restored. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I view with considerable cynicism the intervention of the eight ex-AGs at the eleventh hour. It may or may not be a good thing that this particular amendment was rejected, but they had ample opportunity to contribute constructively to a much needed reform.
They themselves are part of an elite that are never held accountable in Irish society — to such an extent that they cannot even see it. – Yours, etc,