Sir, – "Labour open to new coalition with FG" made for very interesting reading (Front Page, April 16th). The fact that the Labour Party is seriously contemplating returning to government with Fine Gael means that it has not learned the lessons of history. However, this is not surprising as it acquiesced with the austerity measures implemented by Fine Gael. It then wonders where it went wrong with the electorate at the general election, when only seven of its candidates were returned, some by the skin of their teeth. Perhaps the rump of the party should seriously consider joining Fine Gael. Needless to say. there is a precedent for such a move, as a previous Labour leader of the party did just that.
This party should realise that although it was founded to represent the working class of this country in parliament, it no longer does so. – Yours, etc,
Dr TADHG MOLONEY,
Gouldavoher, Limerick.
Sir, – Fergal MacAlister suggests locking the TDs in the Dáil with only bread and water until they reach a resolution (April 16th). I fear the only outcome of this would be the formation of two rival factions – the Bread Party and the Water Party. – Yours, etc,
RUAIRI HURLEY,
Cleveland Heights, Ohio.