Madam, – It seems Fianna Fáil is determined to try pouring new wine into old skins. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I am saddened by the fact that Fianna Fail have brought politics in this country to such an ignominious low and nothing that I have seen in the leadership contest would lead me to believe that we will not continue to suffer the same circus – albeit with different clowns. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Now that the creator of the HSE has been elected leader of Fianna Fáil, perhaps the media in general, and RTÉ in particular, can stop their fawning and get back to more important subjects, such as the state of the economy, the Budget, and much-needed political reform. You know, relevant issues. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Congratulations to Micheál Martin – one of nature’s gentlemen – on becoming leader of Fianna Fáil. He has an unenviable task to revive the party’s fortunes. I wish Mr Martin, his wife and family good luck. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – When all the weasel words are brushed aside, the fact remains that Micheál Martin was part of the Cabinet that has created the most unequal society in the developed world and it did that deliberately, not by accident or incompetence.
His full support for the Budget, which bludgeoned the most vulnerable while the wealthy will hardly notice, is clear evidence of his incapacity to notice unfairness and injustice when it is thrust in front of his face. In addition, he fully supports the lavish incomes of politicians and the huge pay-offs and pensions that they draw down. Retiring Ministers will receive pensions of around €2,500 per week paid for from taxes raised from those who they played a huge part in impoverishing.
As a former minister for health Mr Martin failed to tackle the great and dangerous inequity regarding access to treatment and supported every policy decision this past six years that nurtured and copperfastened the two-tier system. His attempts to spread the blame for ruining the country were pathetic.
Fianna Fáil is welcome to him; it is no more than they deserve, but perish the thought that he and his bunch of greed-merchant cronies ever again get control of the affairs of this State. If he really wants to do the State some service and demonstrate true remorse for what he and his colleagues have done, they should dissolve the party and all leave public life, leaving behind the lavish lump sums and pensions to be distributed to the destitute.
That just might leave for history a context in which a kind word or two can be uttered when his legacy is being discussed. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Now that Micheál Martin has apologised, maybe Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen could do the same. Preferably on their hands and knees. – Yours, etc,