Sir, – Diarmaid Ferriter ("Labour's woes rooted in more than an ungrateful electorate", Opinion & Analysis, July 11th) is critical of Pat Rabbittte's references to some of the far left and Independent opposition as "fragmented, incoherent and dysfunctional" . I would suggest that these words are not, as Prof Ferriter alleges, "a patronising put-down" but are fairly descriptive of the splintered nature of opposition factions within the Oireachtas such as the Socialist Party/Anti-Austerity Alliance, "Ross Independents", other Independents, etc.
It is also fair to suggest that nothing in the performance of these groups and individuals to date would indicate that they might develop an agreed, coherent policy for government or that they would abandon populism to give stable support to a minority government.
The Tina (There Is No Alternative) acronym is the creation of journalists and does not fairly represent the views of those of us who would prefer political stability. Neither Mr Rabbitte nor any other Government spokesperson alleged that there was no alternative but pointed to the fact that there is the possibility of very ruinous ones. The incoherent, dysfunctional approach of the present Greek government to the management of their economy and the negotiations on their banking crisis is a salutary example of what can happen.– Yours, etc,
JOE AHERN,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.