MICHAEL J. STOKES, P.C.,
Madam, - The Dublin South West TD Conor Lenihan has said he will not be keeping quiet about issues relating to his party or the Government's running of the country. Last week it was reported that Mr Lenihan was given a rap on the knuckles by the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party chairman, Seamus Kirk, about his criticism of An Taoiseach.
Speaking now as a rank-and-file member, I would have thought it was obvious the best way to settle family problems is among members of the family. Can we reach out for a level of a maturity in which our differences are not personlised and do not descend into bitter and negative internal animosities?
One thing is certain: we can't provide the Government the country so desperately needs and tear ourselves apart at the same time. Fianna Fáil's real traditions are far too valuable to be bartered away in such arguments.
Can we not show ourselves brave and mature enough to rid ourselves of these internal divisions, to be able and willing to move forward with tolerance and magnanimity and still maintain our basic principles intact?
If we fail because of our own personal hobby-horses, our recriminations against each other, the electorate will be fully justified in condemning us to oblivion. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL J. STOKES, P.C.,
Willington Green,
Dublin 6W.