A Chara - Mary Harney's continuing support for Michael McDowell raises critical questions about her own political judgment.
She should re-examine his track record if she has doubts about his loyalty to (any) party leadership.
Having left Fine Gael in a tantrum when he didn't get his own way, he did the same with the Progressive Democrats when they rejected his attempt to become effective party co-leader and president. After a rebuffed flirtation with Fianna Fáil during his term as attorney general, he came back to the PD fold, getting his job as president, only to begin plotting an unsuccessful reverse takeover of Fine Gael after the last election. Though managing to keep his craving for self-aggrandisement in check for the last couple of years, he recently emerged from the wake of his greatest ministerial failure to date with a severely bruised ego. Having suffered the ignominy of watching his superior junior, Brian Lenihan, take over to clean up the mess and take charge, he now decides the time is ripe for another leadership challenge, threatening to leave politics, again, if he doesn't get his way. Was this indicative of sincere concern for the party's direction, or spiralling panic about his own deteriorating public standing?
The courts, not the Dáil, are a far more natural home for a genuinely talented person with such ego, arrogance, articulacy and ability in equal measures.
If the Tánaiste will not implement some acute career guidance, perhaps the people of Dublin South-East might oblige next June? - Is mise, le meas,
DAVID CARROLL, Castle Gate, Dublin 2.
Madam, - Unless Michael McDowell has lost his marbles completely he won't want the leadership of the PDs this side of an election - what a poisoned chalice that would be. - Yours, etc,
IRENE WINTERS, Wicklow Heights Court, Wicklow Town.
Madam, - Ruairí Hanley (June 23rd) is right about it being time for Mary Harney to hand over the leadership reins of the Progressive Democrats.
The PDs came into being with a promise to "refresh" Irish politics.
Apart from immediately hopping into bed with Charles J Haughey, they have tried to keep to their word.
However, 13 years with Mary in charge leaves the PDs resembling one of those former Eastern Bloc parties where the leader reigned for life. Very "refreshing" indeed! - Yours, etc,
NIGEL P COOKE, St Helens, Lancs.
Madam, - If necessary, in the national interest, Michael McDowell will leave the Progressive Democrats and form his own party which will be known as Mé Féin. - Yours, etc,
PETER MOLLOY, Haddington Park,Glenageary, Co Dublin.