Sir, - I was astonished to see Fianna Fail, the largest political party in the country, decide to abandon politics, as set out in its new election slogan. I had often heard Fianna Fail described as the great political pragmatists, but I understood this as meaning that they were all things to all men and women, rather than that they had no political philosophy at all.
What could be next, I wonder? Will Fianna Fail become a plc? Will it make a takeover bid for Dunnes Stores? In any event, the new corporate motto does not, I feel, do justice to individual senior-members of Fianna Fail. I
would like to suggest the following personalised adaptations:
Bertie Ahern: procrastination before politics.
Mary O'Rourke: prolixity before politics.
Brian Cowen: pugnacity before politics.
Albert Reynolds: pique before politics.
Yours, etc.,
Kilbarrack Road,
Raheny,
Dublin 5.