Sir, I read Patsy McGarry's negative article on the 70th anniversary of Fianna Fail (Irishman's Diary, July 9th) more in sorrow than in anger. What a pity that space could not be found to recognise the achievements of Fianna Fail over those 70 years achievements as significant in their impact in the last ten years as in the previous 60. Let us look back at the last ten, and some of those achievements on issues that really mattered to the people of this country.
Transformation of our economic prospects Achievement of the cease fires and the Downing Street Declaration.
Successful negotiation of unparalleled levels of new funding from Europe Pioneering social partnership through a series of national agreements.
We have also played a full part in achieving progress on social and legislative, reform, because we treat traditional values that are widely shared in our community with respect, not contempt.
Love of county is a worthy and noble calling, it inspired Patsy McGarry's grandfather so many years ago. Love of country demands practical expression, and Fianna Fail has given clear and definite expression, to that over those 70 years it might have been more fashionable over those 70 years to pose, to anguish loudly on every issue under the sun, without doing very much about anything. That is not the Fianna Fail way, and in truth there are many players and parties on the political landscape, who can more ably represent, such a vacuous approach to politics in this country.
Fianna Fail, because it is an egalitarian panty in terms of social composition and leadership, has always been the butt of social and intellectual, snobbery. Political ambition, which is a legitimate and even noble aspiration in other parties, is seen by some commentators as ignoble in Fianna Fail. Its critics, unable to make any dent in matters of political substance, have to resort to the politics of the gutter, which achieves nothing more than discredit for all politicians.
Fianna Fail for its part will continue now as in the past to concentrate on the issues that really matter, and more to the point, will tackle them decisively. That is the reason that Fianna Fail continues to be the most successful and enduring political force in the land.
Business should not be regarded as a dirty word. Successful businesses are what our country's prosperity will be built on. An ability to work well with all the social partners, business, trade unions and farmers is the hallmark of Fianna Fail. Yours, etc., General Secretary, Fianna Fail, 13 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2.