Sir, – Broken promises indeed! Surely TDs representing a political party, when elected to the Dáil, have a moral obligation to resign their seats if they quit the party, join or form another.
Those who promise to “govern in sunshine”, and proclaim that “no party has the sort of high ethical standard that we are adopting”, should be the first to recognise that they have reneged on their election promises.
They have broken their contract with the public who elected them on the basis of their party affiliation, so they should resign their seats forthwith. – Yours, etc,
TOM O’HIGGINS,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – Me? I’m sticking with Rinso. – Yours, etc,
BRENDAN BYRNE,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – So Lucinda Creighton has decided on a name for her political venture, the Renua Ireland party – or RIP. – Yours, etc,
DON BUCKLEY,
Dublin 8.
A chara, – The creation of a new political party is very welcome. Clearly the political system is badly in need of major reform. Renua is promising a new start, demanding high standards for our politicians, promising integrity and openness.
Surely the appropriate action from those Renua TDs who were elected by the people on the basis of supporting the manifesto of another party, in my case Terence Flanagan, who was elected as a Fine Gael TD for Dublin North East, is to resign and go before the people and seek re-election on the basis of Renua policies. Now that would help to convince me that Renua genuinely represents a new start and not just “more of the same”. – Is mise,
NOLLAIG Mac CANNA,
Binn Eadair,
Baile Átha Cliath.
Sir, – Congratulations to Lucinda Creighton. I didn’t think it was possible to come up with a sillier, more pretentious name than “Reboot Ireland” – but “Renua” managed it. – Yours, etc,
COLM KENNAN,
Dublin 4.
Sir, – It didn’t take much time before the detractors attacked Lucinda Creighton’s fledgling party, but then that was to be expected.
What lifelong politicos fear the most is the threat of a shake-up to the cosy status quo.
Unlike the cynics, I was impressed by the party’s commitment to openness and accountability, which it says will be backed by a code of ethics, which, as far as I know is something that no other party provides.
As it stands, the furtive way in which current parties carry out their functions often leads to more questions than answers as to how they came to certain decisions.
Renua Ireland’s commitment not to engage with policies for “short-term gain” is an interesting and poignant standpoint, particularly with a general election a year in the offing. Only time will tell if Renua will be able to sustain non-populist policies that serve the nation as a whole, while inevitably coming under pressure from the usual self-interested groups. I wish it well. – Yours, etc,
JOHN BELLEW,
Dunleer,
Co Louth.
A chara, – The pronunciation being given – even by members of the party – to the new political party of Lucinda Creighton and Eddie Hobbs makes the name meaningless. The work on choosing the name and bringing it to the public was shoddy and careless. Did they consult anybody with a knowledge of Irish?
The members of the party are probably full of good intentions but if asked I would have suggested “Ré Nua”, two words with a fada on the “e” of the first word. A forward-looking name that means a new era. Tús maith, etc. – Is mise,
SEÁN Ó RIAIN,
An Charraig Dhubh,
Co Bhaile Átha Cliath.
Sir, – Fine Gael for slow learners. – Yours, etc,
PAUL McNALLY,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – Harry McGee's "Renua – the making of a political party" (News Analysis, March 14th) was the most informative and balanced piece I have read since the new political party was launched.
Whatever the outcome in the coming years, it is clear that a group of determined people have volunteered time and energy in creating a very different type of party with clear values and beliefs they believe will be of benefit to all of society. – Yours, etc,
FRANK BROWNE,
Templeogue,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – A case of Renua wine in old bottles? – Yours, etc,
Dr EOIN DEVEREUX,
University of Limerick.