Sir, – Let me applaud Senator David Norris for adorning political debate in this country with a splash of colourful invective (Front Page, July 16th). There’s far too little of it from the serried ranks of our dull, obedient and politically correct politicians. If someone is that easily affronted, then I suggest a career in a contemplative order. – Yours, etc,
JOHN P O’SULLIVAN,
Saval Park Crescent,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – It is long past time that the media stopped calling behaviour such as that of David Norris in the Seanad this week “outrageous”. It would indeed be outrageous in an eight-year old, but is merely irresponsible, silly and bad mannered in an adult in a position of responsibility. – Yours, etc,
PHILOMENA HENDRICK,
Inniscarra,
Co Cork.
Sir, – David Norris has an ingenious plan to save Seanad Éireann in the upcoming referendum. He’ll start by insulting half the voting population. – Yours, etc,
CONAN DOYLE,
Pococke Lower,
Kilkenny.
Sir, – The lack of reform of the Seanad is the fault of Dáil Éireann. It was not the Seanad that brought this country to its knees. It was decisions made by senior civil servants and cabinet members backed up by the TDs of Dáil Éireann. – Yours, etc,
DONAL O’LOCHLAINN,
St James’s Place,
Fermoy,
Co Cork.
Sir, – A constant whinge from Senators is that the Seanad has wonderful and insightful debates that are never reported by the media, and thus the public never get to learn how brilliant and necessary the Seanad is for democracy. On Monday the Seanad debated its own demise, and showed just how insightful its debates really are.
Mr Norris’s vulgar references to a female politician would have seen any other male flogged to within an inch of his life by the feminist commentariat. But since Mr Norris is the darling of the intelligentsia, he will be allowed to get away with it.
In comparing pro-abolition arguments with Nazi propaganda, Senator Mary White proved she should stick to making chocolates and not arguments.
Yet again the Seanad, when given an opportunity to demonstrate why it should be retained, has shot itself in both feet and proven beyond all reasonable doubt why this sorry excuse of a legislative chamber is destined for the dustbin of history. – Yours, etc,
JASON FITZHARRIS,
Rivervalley,
Swords, Co Dublin.
Sir, – Richard Bruton’s description of the Seanad as a luxury we can no longer afford is nothing short of an affront to democracy in Ireland, and indeed an insult to the intelligence of the electorate. The second chamber, far from being a luxury, is an integral part of the democratic process. Indeed his party colleague, Regina Doherty, goes further and describes the Seanad as “shockingly undemocratic”. Well if that’s not the pot calling the kettle black.
Ms Doherty is part of a Government-controlled legislature that consequently only represents the views of Government supporters, via the whip system. That same legislature is now trying to do away with a substantial part of the inbuilt checks and balances in our democratic system.
The diminution of democracy does not qualify as legitimate political reform. – Yours, etc,
SIMON O’CONNOR,
Lismore Road,
Crumlin,
Dublin 12.
Sir, – Was David Norris too refined to say arse? – Yours, etc,
KEITH NOLAN,
Caldra House,
Carrick-on-Shannon,
Co Leitrim.
Sir, – Any doubts I may have had regarding the abolition of the Senate have been erased. Congratulations, Senators Norris and Leyden. – Yours, etc,
PAUL DOYLE,
Carrickhill Rise,
Portmarnock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – I am shocked that Fine Gael should have launched its referendum campaign for the abolition of the Seanad before the enabling legislation has passed through the Oireachtas. This shows total disrespect for our national parliamentary institutions. Their behaviour provides another good reason for voting No. – Yours, etc,
NIALL GREENE,
Raheen,
Lisnagry,
Co Limerick.