A chara, - I note that Quidnunc speculates (June 13th) as to the future of the Union for Europe group in the European Parliament, of which Fianna Fail is a member, following the decision of Forza Europa to consider moving to the Christian Democrat group, of which Fine Gael is a member.
No reference was made to the fact that Fine Gael MEPs were aghast, following the last European elections when Fianna Fail MEPs decided to link up with Mr Berlusconi's grouping, which at the time shared power in Italy with MSI-DN, a right wing party which had historical links with Mussolini's fascists and arguably some of the party's policies still had a similar flavour. The Fine Gaelers asked, how could Ireland's largest party work on a European level with a party from another country that coalesced with neo-fascists? (Curiously enough, Fine Gael had no problems working with the old Italian Christian Democrats, a party found to be totally corrupt and which, because of their dishonesty, led to the founding of Forza Italia and in turn Forza Europa).
Am I now to presume that, if Forza Europa are to join the Christian Democratic (European Peoples Party) grouping in Brussels and Strasbourg, Fine Gael will resign in disgust? - Le meas, Malcolm Byrne,
Gorey,
Co Wexford.