Sir, – As someone who regards Independent TDs as the curse of Irish politics, I was disappointed to read Diarmaid Ferriter alluding to their standing in the polls at 18 per cent and their likely impact on government formation at the next election (“Varadkar seems poised to channel his inner de Valera”, Opinion & Analysis, October 6th). The same writer observed in your paper in August 2017 that the number of Independents then in the Dáil exceeded those in all other western European parliaments combined. Independents have no interest in national politics or strategic solutions. They will spend hours arguing and trading their vote to save one bed in a hospital in, say, Tralee, rather than the same amount of time passing laws to improve healthcare access and care pathways across the nation. They will snipe at a government from the sidelines while taking no political responsibility themselves. When will the Irish electorate wake up to the fact that our democracy is diminished not enhanced by these “sole trader” politicians? – Is mise,
KENNETH HARPER,
Burtonport,
Co Donegal.