Madam, - One of the more regrettable aspects of political debate in Ireland is the tendency for people to avoid debating the issues and instead to indulge in personal invective and the caricaturing of one's opponents' political views. The two letters by Jim O'Sullivan and Vincent Wood (October 19th) concerning the Progressive Democrat conference on "Sustaining Community" were classic examples of this tendency.
Both writers created a distorted caricature of PD policies which they proceeded to attack vigorously. According to Vincent Wood the "very political philosophy of the PDs is one of greed and selfishness, profit at any cost". I must say that such a view is news to me. On economic matters, the Progressive Democrats believe that if people work hard and honestly they are entitled to enjoy the fruits of their labour. That is not a question of greed, it is a question of justice. If you visit the Progressive Democrat website (www.progressivedemocrats.ie), you can find a succinct summary of what the party stands for.
That is: freedom as essential to a civilised, just and prosperous society; equality of opportunity; solidarity within society, promoting each person's dignity and potential; human rights and the rule of law. We believe that social justice and economic prosperity go together. We seek to be innovative and reforming in government, taking on the big challenges.
If either letter-writer had attended the conference he would have heard Mary Harney relate that her involvement in politics was motivated by her experience as a volunteer with the Society of St Vincent de Paul. Her direct experience of dealing with people who were living in poverty impelled her to get involved in politics to try to make a difference to their lives. Mary Harney did not discover community values from focus group research; rather, community values have shaped her entire approach to politics. In particular, she is focused on making sure that the elderly, who have made such a contribution to our present prosperity, receive a better deal from society. In every meeting I have had with the Tánaiste, she has raised the issue of care for the elderly as a policy priority for the party.
If Mary Harney or the Progressive Democrats are motivated by selfishness they have a strange way of showing it. In taking on the health portfolio Mary Harney and the Progressive Democrats have taken on the greatest challenge facing the nation today, that of creating a world-class service of which our people can be proud. No selfish person would take so great a political risk for the common good.
In fact there are very few politicians of any hue who would have the courage to do so, but the courage to take on great challenges is one of the defining characteristics of leadership and in Mary Harney, the Progressive Democrats have a leader of whom they can be proud. - Yours, etc,
SEAMUS MULCONRY, Director of Policy, Progressive Democrats, South Frederick Street, Dublin 2.