Madam, - The absence of a leadership contest for leadership of the Progressive Democrats is to be welcomed. The smooth transition from Mary Harney to Michael McDowell means that the party's focus can remain firmly on its role in Government and on preparing for the next election. Contrary to what Martin Geoghegan (September 13th) might wish for, there has been no grassroots uprising over the consensus reached by the parliamentary party in choosing a new leader. The opposite is the case.
Might I remind Mr Geoghegan, as well as Aidan Regan (same edition) that it is not simply the number of votes you receive but the force of your ideas and the quality of your candidates which decide your impact on the body politic.
At the time of their foundation, a time of national despair, the Progressive Democrats brought fresh thinking and fearless politicians to bear on the challenges facing the nation. We faced mass unemployment, mass emigration and corruption at the heart of the democratic system. Today we have a nation transformed, with over 2 million people at work. We are a country of immigrants rather than emigrants and slowly but surely the sins of the corrupt are being exposed to public scrutiny. The PD policies of low tax, less Government interference and an instinct to take on vested interests have contributed greatly to our transformation.
Might I also remind Mr Regan that having a job, being able to get a taxi late at night without queuing for hours and being able to hold on to more of the money which your hard work has earned are all things which matter to 95 per cent of the Irish people.
That same blend of fresh thinking and a fearless approach to tackling vested interests is now being brought to bear on the challenges of health and justice. I have no doubt that we will see a dramatic transformation in these areas as well. - Yours, etc,
JOHN KENNY,
Arundel,
Monkstown Valley,
Co Dublin.
Madam, - The points made by Martin Geoghegan, Aidan Regan and Gareth Cassidy are quite clear. If you favour efficient leadership contests, liberal values, and policies which get implemented, and have concerns about Sinn Féin links with criminality, then Michael McDowell's PDs are your only man. - Yours, etc,
DAVID WALSH,
Templeville Drive,
Dublin 6W.
Madam, - I'm bemused by the frequency with which Michael McDowell is credited with being "intelligent" by contributors to your paper. Are we to assume that there is such a notable lack of intelligence in all other public representatives that we must constantly be reminded of the supposed brain power of Mr McDowell? And how do we independently verify this claim? Is it by his actions in agreeing to pay multiples of the normal market value for the site of the proposed new prison? Or the fact that he has closed prisons while overseeing the feudal and overcrowded facility that is Mountjoy?
Does it take superior intelligence to close down education and training facilities in the same prison? Are "intelligent" people especially prone to belligerence, a hectoring tone and a superior attitude?
Methinks Mr McDowell is all hat and no cattle! - Yours, etc,
TOMAS FINN,
Cappataggle,
Ballinasloe,
Co Galway.