Madam, – I agree with Micheál Martin’s suggestion for the top three parties to put their leaders forward for a televised debate. The only hard question for the new Fianna Fáil leader is where to watch Enda, Eamon and Gerry: perhaps the Dáil bar? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Yet again the broadcast media choose to debase the seriousness of the upcoming election by focusing on the leadership personalities and their enthusiasm or otherwise for TV debates. The people need to understand the reality of each party’s policy position and future vision. Instead, are we to be treated to a posers’ contest, the outcome decided by who forked out most to media grooming consultants?
The seriousness of our national condition demands each voting citizen apply him or herself to evaluating the policies of political parties, not skimming the surface of the issues in a gladiatorial TV showdown.
Better, in my opinion, to offer each contender a detailed TV interview conducted by a panel of three who will represent the Irish people. This election must be won by the party with the best policies, not for having silver-tongued debating skills.
The debate should be between the politician and the people. Not between politicians. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – In response to Michael J Stokes’s letter (January 26th), I humbly submit that if Fianna Fáil really had the country’s interest to the fore, that they should disband forthwith and not contest the forthcoming election. If they never regrouped the country would be the better for it. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The bells have tolled for our independent gombeen politicians, holding the country to ransom! The new political wilderness will be a more suitable place for them. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – John Cooney’s list of questions for political canvassers (January 27th) is a fine example of how to deal with election hopefuls when they visit. On Monday of this week the Tom Dunne Show on Newstalk 106-108 launched a “Doorstep Hit List”. Listeners were asked to suggest suitable questions to ask canvassers and, from the hundreds of examples sent in, a list has been drawn up and is on the Newstalk website (www.newstalk.ie).
Questions include: what reforms have you planned for the HSE? How much do you think politicians should be paid? Are you travelling abroad on St Patrick’s Day at my expense, and what do you hope to achieve by it? Was the IMF/EU bailout a good deal in your opinion and, if not, can you renegotiate if elected?
We cannot afford to be apathetic in this general election. As much as a message of disapproval needs to be sent to those elected officials we feel have let us down, we also need to make a clear statement to those who want to form a new government: we cannot have the same mistakes made again and we will hold you accountable. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – What a depressing sight our January payslips are. We saved the banks, but bankrupt the country.
I hope all those who sat around the Cabinet table (this includes my local TD Willie O’Dea) accept full responsibility for the pain they have inflicted on the citizens of this country by saving the Anglo Irish Bank. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – With any luck Fianna Fáil will now experience the “soft landing” it told us about over and over. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – It would be greatly appreciated if Fianna Fáil and its acolytes would desist from using the appalling cliché “the national interest” for the remainder of the general election campaign, as it was not an issue for them over the last 14 years, while they presided over the destruction of our country. Moreover, it is a calculated insult to those people who are looking into a pit of permanent unemployment or those who are being forced to emigrate. The national interest and the interest of those who were inside the tent at Ballybrit are obviously not the same thing. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I was amused to read of the gentleman in South Africa who received the e-mail from Brian Cowen (January 27th). This morning I was greeted by an e-mail from Micheál Martin, which was sent to me in my capacity as a loyal supporter of the Fianna Fáil party. I’m not sure why, as I am not a party member, never have been and always just exercise my vote in a unbiased fashion, based on who I trust. – Yours, etc,