Madam, - We are writing to express our dismay at the treatment of Michael D. Higgins's presidential aspirations by the leadership of the Labour Party.
Mr Higgins would have offered a real choice to the electorate. He is a person of national stature with a long history of supporting progressive causes. This includes his campaigning against the crazy abortion referendum of 1983, his support for public service broadcasting as a Cabinet minister in the 1990s, and his opposition to the seizure of Iraq by American and British forces.
Michael D. Higgins has been a strong supporter of the Irish language and culture through his establishment of TG4. He has a deep intellectual appreciation of the need to support progressive cultural endeavours of many sorts. He understands the threat to indigenous cultures, not least Irish culture, posed by the media multinationals
In short, Michael D. Higgins is an inspirational and imaginative person. He might not have defeated Mary McAleese, whose presidency has been outstanding, but at least he would have offered a real alternative to the electorate. We believe he would have garnered great popular support.
Instead, what faces the electorate? We have witnessed the unseemly song of praise from Pat Rabbitte for a TD of another party, Eamon Ryan. Mr Ryan may be all the things Pat Rabbitte claims him to be, but he scarcely ranks alongside Michael D. Higgins in national stature.
Patricia McKenna is quite right to smell a rat for the Green Party. The Labour Party can now happily support a Green TD's candidacy, not spend a cent itself, and leave the Greens skint at the end of the campaign. But it's pathetic to see the shafting of Michael D. Higgins in the process. - Yours, etc.,
FINTAN CRONIN, BERNADETTE WYNNE, Tivoli Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
A chara, - Cllr Michael McGrath (September 16th) makes a revealing comment when he chastises the Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, for deluding himself into "thinking President McAleese is truly non-party" and failing to see that "Fianna Fáil is proud to have nominated her in 1997 and will support her again this time". This is simply typical of the backbiting and inter-party rivalry to be seen in Ireland today.
Cllr McGrath's problem with Mrs McAleese is that she was the Fianna Fáil candidate in 1997 and that the governing party again supports her candidacy. He is under the misapprehension that, following from this, Fine Gael should automatically oppose the re-election of the President without considering any other factors - such as the possibility that she may be the most suitable candidate.
Some logic, please! - Is mise, BARRY McSTAY, Friarstown, Co Kildare.
Madam, - In my opinion an election is totally unnecessary given that President McAleese has graciously agreed to serve for another seven years and any proposed candidates have no chance due to her excellent record.
I know the processes of democracy should be seen to be done, but really in this terrible world of want, surely the obscene amounts of money that would be spent on an election could be sent instead to those in starving and in dire need in Africa, Russia, Grenada, etc. - need I go on? - Yours, etc.,
HILARY SPURGEON, Woodfarm Acres, Dublin 20.
Madam, - I find it most difficult to understand how on earth Green Party members seem to believe they will improve their future electoral position by opposing a very popular President. The "Spring Tide" may have followed the Robinson election, but methinks it will be a case of the "Sargent Slide" this time. - Yours, etc.,
DICK WHITE, Cassagh, Co Wexford.