Sir, John Waters (February 11th) bemoans the lack of "transparency and basic honesty" in politics that led he claims the last three governments to be formed on "a basis tantamount to deception." But if these are the criteria, when was an Irish Government ever elected honestly?
I don't remember very many campaign slogans along the lines of "Fine Gael - the idea free party" or "Labour: we'll get into bed with anyone" or, especially, "Fianna Fail: we backtrack on all our promises (except this one)." Come off the stage, Mr Waters, and drop the mock tragedic "Don't cry for me, Tipperary" routine. - Yours etc
Department of Sociology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, US.