THE PARTY OF THE RICH?

PAUL DELANEY,

PAUL DELANEY,

Sir, - Dr John De Courcy Ireland (September 4th) refers to Fianna Fail as "the party of the rich" and expresses the view that FF doesn't know the meaning of democracy.

He maintains that democracy "means rule by the people". Exactly! So, he must accept the fact - however unpalatable - that FF, election after election, continues to be the largest party in the state.

Now, I think it would be stretching it a bit to suggest that the majority of people who vote FF come from the well-heeled fraternity. FF is a catch-all party; a party of diversity; that's what makes it unique in Irish politics.

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Is Dr De Courcy Ireland suggesting that our system of democracy - the right of every eligible citizen to vote as they see fit - is somehow deficient? - Yours, etc.,

PAUL DELANEY,

Beacon Hill,

Dalkey,

Co Dublin.