Madam, - On the Green Party's decision to go into government and take ministerial portfolios, I would like to make two points:
1. Maybe the Greens are not as "green" as people seem to think. Yes, it could be argued that Trevor Sargent's decision to decline a ministerial post is particularly valiant and magnanimous. However, it could also be argued that Mr Sargent's seat in Dublin North is the closest the Greens come to having a "safe" seat, and the promotion of Messrs Gormley and Ryan is completely logical from the party's perspective when you consider the competition they face in their own respective constituencies. What the people of Dublin North think of Mr Sargent's decision to decline a ministerial post is a different matter entirely.
2. For all those who have been busy criticising Mr Gormley's decision to accept the post of Minister for the Environment, I would like to pose a question: the next time that an issue similar to Tara/M3 comes before the Department of the Environment, who would they prefer to be making the decision: John Gormley or Dick Roche?
- Yours, etc,
NIALL CASSIDY, Finn Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7.
Madam, - On the day outgoing Minister Dick Roche continued his destruction of Tara by signing the execution order for the Lismullin site, the Green party took their places in the new Government. So much for protecting our heritage. They sit alongside Mary Harney, who will continue to drive the disastrous co-location project. So much for their commitment to stymie this plan. The US planes continue to land at Shannon, with no change in inspection arrangements.
I voted for the Greens, believing that they saw these issues to be of paramount importance. I find it hard to credit that they are entering government without having achieved a whit on any of them.
- Yours, etc,
BRENDAN TREACY, Drumree, Co Meath.
Madam, - Trevor Sargent did not, as promised, resign rather than lead his party into government with Fianna Fáil. He championed the Green party's utter capitulation to Fianna Fáil before resigning, in what can only be described as a trite and meaningless gesture. It is disappointing that of all the pre-election promises made by the Greens, this is the one that they feel compelled to honour.
- Yours, etc,
MICHAEL KELLY, Victoria Street, Portobello, Dublin 8.
Madam, - For many months now, a day scarcely goes by without a letter appearing in the national newspapers urging the Government to re-route the M3 motorway. I have yet to hear anyone endorsing the current route.
As such a re-routing seems so popular, I am surprised that this is one of the issues on which the Green Party failed to get agreement with Fianna Fáil. Can anyone explain why it is so important that this motorway be built along its proposed route?
- Yours, etc,
JACK DOWNEY, Old Cratloe Road, Caherdavin, Co Limerick.
Madam, - Might I suggest the phrase "the last sting of a dying wasp" well applies to Mr Dick Roche's 11th-hour approval of the M3 before his return to the junior ministerial ranks?
- Yours, etc,
MARK RAVE, Planning Consultant, Ballinakill, Edenderry, Co Offaly.
Madam, - The sight of the Green Party, and particularly Mr Sargent, supporting Fianna Fáil recalls a line from Groucho Marx: "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them. . .well, I have others".
- Yours, etc,
FRANK NEENAN, Tullow Road, Carlow.
Madam, - I hope Trevor Sargent is proud of himself. He has given politicians everywhere a bad name by making a promise - and keeping it.
- Yours, etc,
DENIS HURLEY, Kilbrittain, Co Cork.
Madam, - The retention of Mary Harney as Minister for Health is an affront to any notion of democracy and an affront to the Irish people. Bertie Ahern should be ashamed of himself.
Despite having once been a Fianna Fáil candidate, I voted for the Greens, for the first time, on the basis that they were opposed to entering government with Fianna Fáil. They should be doubly ashamed to have allowed their standards thus to slip.
- Yours, etc,
PETER LYDON, Woodford Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Madam, - I expect that Minister Gormley will forgo the Government car in favour of the Government tandem. The formation in recent years of the crack Garda Bicycle Corps should provide a good selection of candidates to do the grunt work up front, while the Minister attends to matters of state down the back.
This development should ensure that at least one Ministerial vehicle keeps within the speed limit at all times.
- Is mise,
DAVID JOHNSON, Corrib Road, Terenure, Dublin 6W.
Madam, - Does John O'Donoghue's election as Ceann Comhairle mean there will be more space on the Letters page for other writers?
- Yours, etc,
DONAL O'CARROLL, Mount Park, New Street, Limerick.