Madam, – Surely it is finally time for the Irish public to determine whether Brian Cowen is capable of continuing to lead this country – instead of the usual brigade of blindly loyal Fianna Fail backbenchers.
The fact that Fianna Fáil thinks that the Irish people are remotely concerned with who leads Fianna Fáil into the next election, while we are in the grip of the worst economic crisis in the history of the State, illustrates just how out of touch the party has become. It continues to play petty party politics with people’s livelihoods.
I am certain that unlike Mr Cowen’s response to Micheál Martin, the Irish people will be happier to oblige the Taoiseach if he does eventually tender his resignation. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – And so Sunday’s night of the long knives fizzled out with Mary Hanafin calling off her press conference and the Lenihan dynasty rolling in behind the “Boss”. . . for now.
Every cloud has a silver lining though, and from this failed coup comes the relief that Fianna Fáil won’t experience that new-leader bump in the polls that could have been expected. I guess Brian Cowen was acting in the best interest of his country after all. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I am delighted to hear that Brian Cowen is remaining on as Taoiseach and that we are not bounced into an early election. The people need time to reflect on the performance of all political parties and to have time to listen to the new voices that will make the difference in the election.
The electorate can wait until the end of April. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I burst out laughing at the 6.01 News when Brian Cowen said that he was not motivated by personal ambition. It is not logically possible for anybody to reach the top of a large political party unless they are motivated totally by personal ambition.
That is the reason why the very worst people always reach the top of such drama groups. That such people and such groups should then be allowed to run countries is the beginning of the end for all decent, sane, working people. – Yours, etc.
Madam, – The recent putsch against Brian Cowen as leader of Fianna Fáil,precipitated in the main by questions concerning his round of golf with Anglo Irish Bank’s Seán FitzPatrick, how intimately he was involved in the crisis management of the bank’s implosion, and how Fianna Fáil can get out of the deep electoral “bunker” it is in should probably merit a chapter called “Night of the Long Irons” in a future political memoir. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Kathy Sheridan’s dissection of the Cowen years, now drawing to a close, is a masterpiece of journalism (Weekend Review, January 15th). Without descending to puerile point- scoring or personalised vitriol she lays bare the bones of the man’s period in office, and the pass to which his stewardship has brought this country. That he was not alone in bringing us to our knees is neither here nor there. The story that US president Harry Truman had a sign prominently displayed on his desk saying “The buck stops here” is surely apocryphal, but a little of that humility and commitment would have gone a long way in our Taoiseach’s office. Well done Kathy Sheridan. If we lived in the late president’s country, you would be a Pulitzer Prize candidate. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – There is no other Government throughout the EU membership where a Minister would tell his leader he has no confidence in him and remain in his post.
Micheál Martin as Minister for Foreign Affairs will now be regarded by other governments as a man representing Ireland under false pretences, The Fianna Fáil Party power struggle is now projecting the country on the world stage as A Comedy of Errors. An election within the next month has to be called if just to stop those outside the country breaking their hearts laughing at Cowen’s Clowns. – Yours, etc,
Madam, “No matter what role we are given in the party we are merely passing through. The real question is the transferability or sustainability of the grassroots of the party.” (Home News, January 17th) This according to the Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív. This is the real question? The party. Seriously? Am I alone in my bewilderment? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Given the troubles facing Fianna Fáil, I’d have thought Brian Cowen and Micheál Martin would have come to some agreement. They should take inspiration from the Grimes brothers, who are experts in public relations and harmonious accord. I present to you: Bricheál! – Yours, etc,