Sir, – Colum Kenny is wrong ("Does Enda Kenny have what it takes to handle Brexit?", Opinion & Analysis, June 30th).
Enda Kenny is the ideal hand to have at the Government tiller, especially now in this post–Brexit period of uncertainty. Your columnist seems to think that the best prescription for Ireland during this period of flux is to introduce further uncertainty in the form of a general election. It took a while to form this Government, with great forbearance being shown by the electorate in the process. I doubt their well of patience is deep enough to allow further indulgences on the election front.
In any case is that what we need? Really? This minority Government is working. There’s already evidence that consensus politics is breeding a more considered approach in the Dáil. That’s very encouraging. There will be bumps, but reasoned argument trumps grandstanding any day.
Now, in this post-Brexit phase, what is needed is a cool head and the experience of someone who, with the co-operation of the Irish people, has, for example, led the country successfully through tough times. It is only relatively recently that we regained our economic sovereignty. That that would come about was not a given. That it required a person of particular ability to lead was certain.
The Taoiseach understands European politics better than most. He only knows one way to deal with a challenge and that’s to make decisions and face it down. That’s what we need now. – Yours, etc,
REGINA DOHERTY TD,
Government Chief Whip,
Government Buildings,
Merrion Street,
Dublin 2.