Madam, – Frank Carmody (February 20th), states that due to the social and economic problems in Limerick, it is vital Mr O’Dea be replaced by someone from Limerick. Mr Carmody’s letter illustrates the farce that passes for politics in Ireland. The resolution to the problems in Limerick ought to be met as a matter of course, that is the right of the people. Any resolution to these problems ought not to depend upon a minister coming from that county/city.
The letter illustrates the belief of many people in Ireland that having a senior politician in the area will benefit it. This is a result of the corrosion of clientelism that has dominated Irish politics. Clientelism has hollowed out our democracy, leaving a corrupted facade that does no justice to the Irish people and has steadily disenchanted and disenfranchised the people of Ireland.
No citizen of Ireland should be dependent upon the goodwill of a politician. We need to restore a polity based on rights and responsibility, on equality and justice. A polity that is open, accountable and inclusive. We need to restore sovereignty to the Irish people. Something our political parties seem to have lost sight of. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The robust exchanges in the Dáil last week, broadcast on RTÉ afterwards, rendered my two young noisy boys speechless for the duration of the news snippet. Could I ask that Oireachtas Report be repeated between 5pm and 6pm every evening? Its present slot (sometimes after midnight) is way too late for the children! – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Concerning Messrs Ahern, O’Donoghue and O’Dea and their loss of high office (Dan Donovan, February 20th), what would Lady Bracknell have said? If one is a misfortune, but two is carelessness, what is three, within two years? An attempt at the Guinness Book of Records? – Yours, etc,
A chara, – We are all familiar with the reasons for former minister, Willie O’Dea’s resignation. However, since he has resigned only his ministerial office, one must assume that his conduct is acceptable for a TD.
Furthermore, his resignation seems to be his only punishment. Will there be any proceedings against him for admitting swearing an affidavit that contained a falsehood? If not, will Mr. O’Dea be investigated for an offence under the Electoral Abuses Act? Perhaps the Attorney General will instigate a suit under the Official Secrets Act 1963?
Unless this happens, the public will not have any faith in the Government and public representatives will know there is no consequence to their public actions. – Is mise,
A chara, – Willie O’Dea says, “I can think of other situations affecting Ministers, which I won’t elaborate on now, which were far worse but they survived. I recall being in a government with one of them and at the time I didn’t call for his resignation – in fact I defended him in every possible way” (Front page, February 20th).
This country is drowning in a socio-economic “tsuNama”. The audacity of Mr O’Dea to suggest he “defended” Ministers in “situations” far worse than his own. I sincerely hope this revelation of Mr O’Dea’s will be vigorously investigated. – Is mise,
Madam, – In recent times, we’ve had councillors resign from Sinn Féin; a Green senator resign from the Upper House; a neophyte Fine Gael TD resign his ephemeral Dáil seat, and a Fianna Fáil Minister resign from high office.
I suppose Labour is now resigned to losing an MEP? Such an event would complete a unique sequence. – Yours, etc,