Sir, – If Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil choose to pretend to live together rather than marry, is it not still a coalition? – Yours, etc,
EUGENE TANNAM,
Firhouse,
Dublin 24.
Sir, – The last government was attacked relentlessly by media outlets (particularly RTÉ), so-called advocacy groups and vested interests, and without any regard to the state of the country when it took office. It could do no right and was to blame for every ill that befell us, including bad weather. The Labour Party was particularly targeted and paid a huge political price. It is little wonder that over two-thirds of the present Dáil have opted for opposition. Perhaps Fine Gael should too.
A long period without a government to attack at every turn might result in a rethink, a return to common sense, and balance in commenting and reporting on political matters.
Although I wouldn’t hold my breath. – Yours, etc,
NICHOLAS O’CONNOR,
Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.
Sir, – If Fianna Fáil succeeds in forcing the funding of Irish Water back on to the State’s balance sheet, then the filching of €12 million from the mental health development budget will not be the last raid on money that might otherwise be available to restore vital public services.
Fianna Fáil says it is honour-bound to fulfil its electoral promise to abolish Irish Water but this was never an honourable promise in the first place. This latest political manoeuvre was in the dishonourable tradition of the party’s public service decentralisation programme to win the local elections of 2003 and its abolition of house rates to buy the election of 1977.
Having scooped votes as a result in the recent general election, it is now impaled on this promise to abolish an organisation that, despite its inauspicious start, is now actually delivering on its mandate.
As in previous cases, Fianna Fáil is hell-bent on this latest act of vandalism for party-political gain, regardless of the cost to the “hard-pressed taxpayer”. – Yours, etc,
EDDIE MOLLOY,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – The novelty is starting to wear off. If they don’t reach an agreement soon, then it is time for an election. – Yours, etc,
ANNE BYRNE,
Bray, Co Wicklow.
Sir, – A crisis in the health service, hundreds of patients on trolleys and people without a home. Yet the issue being discussed by our elected representatives in forming a new government is water charges.
You could not make it up.
When will these politicians face up to their responsibilities and get on with the job they are being paid to do. – Yours, etc,
TERRY DOYLE,
Leixlip,
Co Kildare.
A chara, – Despite all the talk about new politics and new ways of doing Dáil business, the argument about Irish Water shows how shallow it all is.
A clear majority of Dáil TDs were elected on platforms that called for the abolition of water charges for at least five years: 44 Fianna Fáil (one of whom is now the Ceann Comhairle), 23 Sinn Féin, three People Before Profit-Anti-Austerity Alliance, and seven left-wing Independents (Tommy Broughan, Catherine Connolly, Joan Collins, Clare Daly, Séamus Healy, Thomas Pringle and Mick Wallace).
That’s a clear majority of Dáil members, before we even look at the other Independents or the Social Democrats.
It is clearly completely undemocratic to ignore the declared will of the people on this issue, and the shenanigans over government formation cannot obscure that fact. – Is mise,
EOIN Ó MURCHÚ,
Baile Átha Cliath 22.