Sir, - By now it is manifest that our politicians do not appear to want to do much about cleaning out their own stables; therefore it is the duty of the electorate to undertake the job.
We must stop the practice of voting for some party or politician just because our father or grandmother voted for them. We must realise that to return a corrupt person to power is to be corrupt yourself.
We have yahoos hanging around politicians, knocking on doors for them and shouldering them when they win. If these hangabouts do it for reward, they are corrupt; if they do it to get someone else a rich career, then they are asinine.
There are many utterly incompetent TDs. At election time they should be weeded out in order to get better government. Independents who put themselves into the pockets of the large parties should no longer be voted for.
Some politicians seek to set up dynasties where their sons or daughters or widows are expected to take their seats. The electorate should let them know that we do not accept that Dail seats are the property of some family.
If political corruption, incompetence and dynasties are to be checked, it will be up to us, the people. Do not expect the politicians to do it for us. - Yours, etc.,
Dermot C. Clarke, Wilson Road, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.