Sir, – Noel Whelan's opinion piece is a timely reminder of what should be avoided in the next election ("UK posturing on TV debates a taste of what we can expect", Opinion & Analysis, January 16th). During the Celtic Tiger period we had plenty of posturing by celebrity politicians, aided and abetted by celebrity media commentators. That ended with a bankrupt country needing an €80 billion bailout.
A more sober but thorough investigation of the facts and less emphasis on personality during the next election campaign might serve the interests of the ordinary citizen of this country better. – Yours, etc,
A LEAVY,
Dublin 13.
Sir, – Noel Whelan is correct that there has been a lot of posturing both in the United Kingdom and in Ireland over forthcoming election debates in terms of participants and format.
We should recall the manner in which the last presidential election debates were handled in 2011 and the surrounding controversy.
Perhaps the establishment of a non-partisan and independent debates commission might be of assistance to all participants. The commission could lay down clear rules and guidelines, including on format, carry out research, select moderators and, more importantly, prevent the debates from descending into farce. – Yours, etc,
NIALL NELIGAN,
Dublin Institute
of Technology,
Aungier Street,
Dublin 2.