Sir, – It is concerning to note that many media outlets including your own publication and the general public would seem to be oblivious to that fact that since March 10th the State is in a situation where neither a taoiseach nor any government ministers hold office.
The resignation from the office of taoiseach notified to President Michael D Higgins on March 10th by Mr Kenny resulted in a situation under Article 28.11.1 of the Constitution whereby all appointed minsters were also deemed to have resigned, and more importantly according to that article “. . . the Taoiseach and the other members of the Government shall continue to carry on their duties until their successors shall have been appointed” but, by inference they are not deemed to “hold office”. This may be inferred as the Constitution is carefully worded in this respect.
Whereas Article 28.11.2 explicitly notes, “The members of the Government in office at the date of a dissolution of Dáil Éireann shall continue to hold office until their successors shall have been appointed”. Article 28.11.1 carefully avoids the “continue to hold office” phrase.
That being the case, it would seem to me that all media outlets should desist from referring to anyone as being taoiseach and/or a government minister at this time, as, according to our Constitution, no one is deemed to hold those offices.
– Yours, etc,
J M McMANUS
Naas,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – Perhaps the new amalgam of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael might be styled Fianna Gael, thereby smoothing ruffled feathers, in the interest of stability and progress in government in the interest of all of Ireland. – Is mise le meas,
JOHN COYLE
Rathmullan,
Co Donegal.
Sir, – While anticipating the final outcome of the election, the often quoted anecdote of Daniel O‘Connell came to mind:
“Tis all the same to you Scully, you‘ll still be breaking stones.” – Yours, etc,
Dr TOM RIGNEY
Cork Institute of Technology,
Cork.
Sir, – Isn’t it amazing that all rhetoric about what various parties were going to do in government before the election has suddenly become what they’re not going to do now.
– Yours, etc,
PATRICK ROWLEY- BROOKE
Latteragh,
Nenagh.