Sir, – Fintan O'Toole believes we are becoming an ungovernable people ("Why the Irish political system can no longer guarantee stability", Opinion & Analysis, November 11th).
I would suggest that we are simply repeating history. In the Clare Journal of 1838, there is an account of an attempt to implement the provisions of the recently passed Lighting and Cleansing Act in the town of Ennis.
This was supported by the clergy and the shopkeepers who saw it as a logical and advantageous move, and who were prepared to pay the extra tax required. It was vehemently opposed however by some who, in the words of the editor, “appealed to the prejudices and passions of the people, with unfounded statements”, and the proposal was defeated. Subsequent editions of the paper carried passionate letters on both sides of the argument until, finally, the editor called for “peace”. – Yours, etc,
LUCILLE ELLIS,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.