It would be a sin for Martin not to improve messaging
RECENT events just confirm the floundering and disastrous state of leadership communication and messaging by this Government.
I suggest, even though sin now seems a thing of the past – albeit that there are regular outpourings of contrition – that Micheál Martin consider the elements that define sin; thought, word, deed and omission, as having a strong resonance in communication concept, design and delivery.
Thought: It’s imperative that An Taoiseach be vigilant to the potency of Messrs Varadkar’s and Ryan’s breath of fog across his mirror of thought reflections as he strives to convey clear unambiguous thinking to all citizens.
Word: Expression must be clearly couched in understandable and relatable language. Stephen Donnelly will advise on the hazards of using gratuitous inappropriate analogies to elucidate on published advice and instructions.
Deed: Dara Calleary’s advice is essential with regard to the perils of ‘do as I say, not as I do’.
Omission: Remember that ‘not only our actions, but also our omissions, become our destiny’. Barry Cowen will advise accordingly.
Finally, should An Taoiseach require a second opinion, Phil Hogan can advise on any or all of these points.
Michael Gannon, Kilkenny city.
Hogan’s final round
EVENTUALLY he succumbed to the inevitable, while admitting to doing no wrong. Phil Hogan has joined an embarrassing list of Irish politicians who have had to resign for uncalculated misjudgments of their tenure (to be polite).
In this case none of the three top men in Irish politics could persuade Mr Hogan to resign.
It took the top woman in European standing to end this embarrassing fiasco and to reiterate ‘you are not above the law of Ireland or of Europe’.
This might come as a bit of a shock to Mr Hogan who appears to play more golf than Rory McIlroy. Mr Hogan has played his final round.
Dave Meehan, via email
Trade portfolio loss
ANOTHER ‘fine mess’ this Government has got us into. Losing two ministers and multiple lower lights might seem like good political sport; but taking down the star prize is like shooting oneself in the head. Removing the EU trade commissioner could do this country enormous damage
This week was a frenzied ‘holier than thou’ scapegoating – of what turned out to be an easy target – by Government parties, desperate to deflect blame and anger from themselves, for allowing a huge public relations disaster created by their smug minor ranks. Those in opposition would hardly do anything other than bay for blood.
Big Phil may have been an ideal target of ire, but his resignation pulls the rug completely out from under the Government. He certainly made mistakes; but so do many other public figures and, in the heel of the hunt, how really big was his blunder?
No outbreak or spike can be attributed to his shenanigans or the affair in Clifden.
The timing could hardly be worse in the last fraught stages of Brexit negotiations.
Considering all the problems stacking up for the EU, he’ll probably feel this is a lucky escape. And he shouldn’t be so badly off. It’s unlikely he resigned from the pensions too. Pádraic Neary, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo.
Covid to stay with us
WITH all the precautions in place because of Covid-19 we’re no nearer getting rid of it now than we were at the start.
If we’re going to use the situation just to have a go at people with high profiles while a certain number of ordinary folk ignore the rules just so they can enjoy themselves, then it’s unlikely we’ll see the end of it any time soon. R. Lillis, Mallow, Co. Cork.
Our ‘poster boys’
DURING the coronavirus pandemic politicians should not be counted as exempt from clearing up both physical and political messes made during the recent general election.
Last week, while driving into Clontibret, Monaghan, I spotted two election posters side by side adorned with the faces of Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin.
Under littering laws introduced in 2009, any election poster that remains in place seven days after polling day will result in a fine of €150 being imposed on the candidate/s. Instead, these posters, if still in place, remain 204 days later.
Brian Tumulty, Co. Louth.
Marching orders?
IN AN appearance at the Republican National Convention this week, Melania Trump wore military-style attire that reminded me of Colonel Gaddafi’s female bodyguards.
I wonder if Trump expects his life to be at risk as he continues to make America great again?
Tony Moriarty,