Madam, - May I, as a citizen of this State, express through your newspaper my disgust at the attitude of the political parties in this so-called democracy in denying myself and some 2.7 million electors our constitutional right to choose the President of Ireland.
I am delighted for the politicians who have said they will support the present holder of the office in that they have guaranteed themselves their constitutional right. I would love to have that right.
As for the opinion polls which suggest that people do not want an election, I also wish I were one of the lucky ones to be asked, because I do not know anyone who has been asked, nor does anyone else I have asked.
The current President has carried out her duties without fault and I wish her well in her future seven years in office. Unfortunately, no other eligible citizens are allowed to offer themselves for election to the people of Ireland.
I say to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour, Progressive Democrats, Greens and Sinn Féin: Shame on you. It is a sad day when the people have been denied a democratic constitutional right by their elected representatives.
Thank you, Madam, for allowing me to express my opinion in the only manner open to us all. - Yours, etc.,
PAUL DALTON, Ardrigh Road, Dublin 7.