Madam, - Why don't we scrap the present system of electing a government and instead vote in a board of directors? Yes, a company of five good women and five good men with a record of credibility, professionalism, intelligence, reliability and decency. "Ireland Ltd"!
The board would be responsible to its shareholders (us, the voters) for all its decisions. Each member would sign a contract stating she agrees with her performance-related salary. Each member would be sacked if he failed to reach the required levels of satisfaction.
Naturally, each member of the voting public would be a shareholder in Ireland Ltd. They would then have a real personal interest in making the company a real success - financial and otherwise. The aim of the company, at the end of the day, is for the board members to make profitable, efficient, intelligent, thoughtful, decent, worthy and responsible decisions for their shareholders.
Maybe a daft idea, but the concern is real. Five years ago this country was overflowing with money and success. Today, in 2003, this success has turned to dismal failure. Zero out of 10. It's time for Fianna Fáil to acknowledge this. Just for starters, how about removing that fada on the "a"? - Yours, etc.,
C.T. GENT, The Fairways, Kilkenny.