Madam, – Isn’t it marvellous, the most fundamental plank of our democratic system is the right of the people in any constituency to a specified number of TDs in the Dáil yet, whereas the government may be taken to task for delaying a byelection for an unreasonable amount of time, unreasonable is not defined.
Surely, the most effective type of legislation is clear and specific legislation. Don’t forget that the Opposition, members of the same cosy club as the Government, proposed that a byelection must be held within six months! Even this was too much for the Government.
Surely the delay should be minimal. Writ moved within 30 days. Byelection within another 14 days. Who needs a long byelection campaign? Readers should ask their local TD what he/she thinks of this, making it clear that the reply will determine how they vote. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I am inclined to agree with the majority of our TDs.
If they believe that some of the constituencies, such as Donegal South West, can work with a politician reduction of between 25 per cent and 33 per cent, I am certainly for that concept. I would suggest extending to all of the other constituencies. In fact, why not extend the idea to county councillors, town councillors, city councillors, county mayors, city mayors, lord mayors, potential mayors. Jeepers, this is beginning to feel like a Christy Moore song! – Is mise,
MARTIN COMMINS,
Barna Road,
Galway.
Madam, – Maybe it is a case of the proverbial straw and the ever-burdened camel’s back, but really, enough is enough.
What a spectacle to see the Government grudgingly move the writ for a byelection in Donegal SouthWest, while simultaneously appealing the sensible ruling of Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns on the basis of a supposed challenge to the principle of separation of powers.
Meanwhile, three further byelections are outstanding and according to the Government chief whip, have not yet registered on the Cabinet’s collective consciousness. It seems they are too busy with the budget; what that has to do with the basic right of the citizens of Ireland to exercise their entitlement to democratic representation is anyone’s guess.
I would hardly have thought it possible, but further embarrassment is being heaped upon the already fairly shoddy state of our democracy. Watching from across the water one can only despair. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – This Government and its individual members are truly exasperating. Not only is apology for misdeeds and errors not a concept in their mind-set, not only is humility a quality that they do not embrace; but they continue to feel they can do no wrong when brazenly deciding to challenge the High Court decision (more public money down the drain) and this despite calling the Donegal byelection.
I hope there is a Last Day of Judgment. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – In answer to Donal Foley (November 5th), the difference between the electorate of Donegal South West and the electorate of northern constituencies represented by Sinn Féin MPs is that the Northern electorate doesn’t want to be represented in Westminster and that is their right. That is why they vote for Sinn Féin candidates whose policy is very publicly to abstain from Westminster. The electorate of Donegal South West, on the other hand, want to be represented in the Dáil. – Yours, etc,