A chara, – Every year or so, it appears that a new catchword or phrase comes into popular usage among politicians and the media. In years past we have endured “going forward”, suffered “recognising the Diaspora” and were regularly exhorted to accept that “the people have spoken”. Last year every politician and journalist seemed obliged to face a “binary decision” on every possible topic. No longer, it seems, do we debate or discuss anything. Instead the current popular phrase appears to be “having a conversation” about whatever is the issue of the day – whether that be in the recent campaign prefacing the recent abortion referendum or in the statement by Mary Lou McDonald about Sinn Féin fielding a possible presidential candidate. I may well be showing my age, but more actual substance, and fewer platitudes, would be appreciated. – Is mise,
E DILLON,
Farranshone, Limerick.