The fate of 'Asgard II'

Madam, – Faced with impending disaster, Capt Newport of Asgard II acted swiftly and decisively in issuing the order to abandon…

Madam, – Faced with impending disaster, Capt Newport of Asgard II acted swiftly and decisively in issuing the order to abandon ship, thereby averting a tragedy. That’s leadership.

In stark contrast, Minister Willie O’Dea. Faced with a decision whether or not to raise the nation’s maritime icon from the sea bed, dithers and calls for survey after survey, like a child stalling at bedtime. Of course, if he waits long enough, “time and tide” will save him from his dilemma: they wait for no man.

Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised at this. After all, the Minister and his colleagues failed to react at all when economic storm clouds were gathering over the ship of State. They just sailed on regardless and when disaster struck, they panicked.

Then, their first positive plan of action was to throw elderly passengers overboard – a plan they quickly changed in the face of a mutiny.

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I think the time has come to relieve Cap’n Cowen and his crew of their command, before “time and tide” do for the Asgard and, indeed, for us all. – Yours, etc,

DAMIEN CODY,

Harbour View,

Howth,

Co Dublin.