It’s a bad year for TDs to consider knocking twice
In case some of our newly elected TDs are considering going to the country again in the coming months, they might like to consider the following events taking place before the wet and cold of autumn and winter set in again.
We have the Euros, the Olympics, the Paralympics, All Ireland hurling and football championships and God knows what else. It doesn’t sound like a good year to be knocking on doors.
Tom Burke, Clonsilla, Dublin 15.
Gravy train ticket
I see Michael McDowell – former member of Fine Gael, leader of the Progressive Democrats, minister for justice, and attorney general, now practising senior council – is running for the Seanad election.
He is doubtless in receipt of generous pensions for his time in the Dáil.
Perhaps now we see why he was so involved in campaigning in the referendum to retain the useless Seanad. Abolishing it would have saved €20m a year that could have been used to build homes or spend on Health and so on.
Do the McDowells in this life ever have enough? I would never vote for McDowell, a man, along with Ahern, who was prepared to release the killers of Garda Jerry McCabe.
There has been no reform of the Seanad as promised by many senators prior to the referendum.
Noel Peers, Graignamanagh, Co. Kilkenny.
Nation has spoken
The nation has spoken, but what has it said?
Will Meehaul and Enda get into bed?
A dripping tap, that brought down the curtain
On the ambitions of Labour’s Joan Burton
While down in the kingdom, they have their own ways
A two-for-one offer on Healy-Raes
When big names lose out, it’s a serious matter
Goodbye James Reilly, goodbye Alan Shatter
Gains for Sinn Féin and Independent voices
The joy of PR and multiple choices.
Xavier McCullough, Limerick.
Brexit’s welcome
I have been an avid fan of Joe Duffy for years, having the greatest respect for his views on both humane and political topics. Hence, I found his comments on the possibility of a Brexit (MoS, February 28) most interesting. Joe claims that Ireland’s annual trade with Britain is €52bn; hence, it is right to ‘assume’ this may be endangered in the event of a Brexit. I suggest quite the contrary because if Britain (hopefully) exits the EU, Britain will be glad of Ireland’s trade, along with any other country on the global market.
What started off as a principled idea of having a Common Market for trade between nations has been hijacked and turned into a political dictatorship of government, akin to a banana republic.
If the EU is so powerful and confident in itself, why should it be so concerned at Britain’s departure? The EU needs Britain more than Britain needs the EU.
A Brexit will give the people of this island – all 32 counties – the freedom to decide their own destiny.
Harry Stephenson, Kircubbin, Co. Down.
Litter louts
The pride seems to have gone from the countryside. I drove into Roscommon town from Barrinagh Granlahan, and all along the roadsides were littered with household rubbish.
It looks to me like folk just fling it out of their cars as they drive along not caring how it looks.
Maybe the solution would be to scrap the charge at the recycling depots as they do in the UK – that way, people would willingly take their rubbish to the right place.
It is the same in Church car parks, where at recycling containers for glass and metal people dump bags of rubbish regardless of a sign telling them not to.
What a pity they have no pride in their surroundings.
Margaret Seddon, Roscommon.
An acting lesson
Amid all the furore over the election last weekend and the grubby scraps for seats that ensued, your piece on the Oscars (MoS, Feb. 28) was a breath of fresh air.
Here were several Irish people performing at the top of their game in a notoriously competitive business – and doing their country proud in the process.
However, there was only one Irish win. Perhaps the slighted politicians who failed to win a seat should take a leaf out of the nominees book – and be gracious in defeat.
S. Kelly, Naas, Co. Kildare.