Madam, – I have no problem with Stephen Collins having a go at me as an Independent TD. I accept that it’s part of the territory as a politician. However, I do object to his gross misrepresentation of my position on Dáil votes and the Government (Opinion, September 4th). I voted on the issues as they arose in the Dáil and there was nothing “tactical” about them.
In the pre-summer period, I voted against the Government on the vote of “no confidence”. I did support the Civil Partnership Bill, and voted on gangland and animal welfare legislation on their own merits. That is what Independents do.
It would appear Mr Collins does not understand the position of an Independent. The other sad side of this debate is that Mr Collins and some sections of the media can not think outside “the political party box” when covering Irish politics.
We have over 120 Independent councillors throughout this country doing great work and yet most of them are ignored by people like Mr Collins.
Why are there so many Independent councillors particularly in recent times? Some are knocking on the door for a Dáil seat. The Independent Senators in the Seanad are recognised across the globe as great performers and are doing an excellent job. So the Independent position is thriving and thank goodness it lives if we are to have an equitable and democratic society.
Mr Collins’s point about “trying to avoid an early election” is unfounded. I voted for the byelection in the Dáil and my position is the need to have a fresh and new democratic mandate to deal with the economic downturn and mass unemployment. I suspect we will see more Independent TDs in the future, especially in Galway East, Waterford, Mayo and in a few more constituencies.
I have no problem with an early election as I believe in hard work and honest politics. – Yours, etc,