Madam, - In response to Cllr Michael McGrath (September 16th), I for one applaud Mr Enda Kenny's decision not to run a candidate for Fine Gael. It is an encouraging sign to see that Fine Gael now has a leader who is smart enough to pick his battles.
Fine Gael doesn't want to run a costly election because it will lose.
Labour is in the same situation. President McAleese is simply too popular. Whether or not Michael D. Higgins or Eamon Ryan would make a good President is immaterial; neither can win this election. This is not to say they would not get a respectable share of the vote, but the fact remains nobody is going to beat Mrs McAleese.
Mr Kenny, Mr Rabbitte - and indeed the majority of the Greens under Mr Sargent - are satisfied to bide their time and put their collective resources into the next general election. Contrary to what Cllr McGrath believes, finally the Opposition is acting cohesively. - Yours, etc.,
COLM N. MURPHY,
Campile,
New Ross,
Co Wexford.
Madam, - I must register my indignation at the decision of the Labour Party this week not to put forward Michael D. Higgins as a candidate for the presidency. This country would be fortunate to have as president such a cultured and refined gentleman.
The office of President demands the temperament and wisdom of a man of letters - a poet, and not a street-fighter; someone of Mr Higgins's calibre, and no less a person.
It is a shame that his fellow party members cannot see the benefits of a return to the analytical engagement of the Robinson years, especially given the unnervingly blasé manner in which major geo-political issues are nowadays withheld from the consideration of the Irish people.
I cannot now but feel that Mr Higgins shall go down in history as one of the best presidents Ireland never had. - Is mise,
VAL NOLAN,
Ardagh,
Co Limerick.
Madam, - I was very disappointed that Michael D. Higgins failed to secure a nomination for the presidency from the Labour Party. Notwithstanding Mary Mc Aleese's successful term of office, we need to hear a voice such as Michael D.'s in this time of flux. I congratulate him for offering himself as a candidate but bemoan the lack of courage and insight his party has shown by not supporting him.
We can no longer consider the Labour Party as one prepared to offer an alternative to the status quo. Indeed, I think it may well have sounded its death knell. - Yours, etc.,
MARY O'DONOVAN,
Courtmatrix,
Rathkeale,
Co Limerick.
Madam, - Vincent Browne complains that President McAleeseoffers us "more of the insipidness, the nothingness, tinged with self-importance".
Self-importance? Your columnist obviously has no sense of irony. - Yours, etc.,
PADRAIC SHERIDAN,
Upper Clanbrassil Street,
Dublin 7.
Madam, - Vincent Browne has been complaining in recent weeks about the blandness of the McAleese presidency. He would prefer that a more provocative character occupy the office.
Well, as an American citizen resident in Ireland, I would advise Mr Browne: Be careful what you wish for. You may get it. - Yours, etc.,
STEVE CORONELLA,
Shankill,
Co Dublin
Madam, - Despite the sandals, open-necked shirts, bicycle clips (and designer poverty), if the Green Party alone is willing and able to force a presidential election, then it will have my number one at the next Dáil outing. - Yours, etc.,
OLIVER McGRANE,
Marley Avenue,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.