Sir, - The decision of Michael Lowry to run as an independent is bemusing on two counts. Firstly, to assume he will get the support needed to be re-elected, and secondly the fact that people in Fine Gael and in the constituency as a whole are willing to give him that support. It is not just that, as a senior cabinet minister, his tax affairs were not in order and he failed to inform his party leader of this, but it is also that he left himself open to manipulation by a senior businessman.
His naivety as a business person, and more importantly as a senior politician, should not be rewarded by his re election. His constituency may have benefitted by his hard work in the past but this, in fairness, is no more than he was paid to do. But what are we saying to politicians in these situations? That you may mislead the leader of your party and you may compromise yourself and your office with your business dealings? It is no doubt we get the politicians we deserve. - Yours, etc.,
Oak Park,
Ennis,
Co Clare.