Sir, – It is welcome that Fintan O'Toole ("Stability can only come from radical change", Opinion & Analysis, March 24th) acknowledges this Government has been successful in leading the country out of the banking collapse, the downturn and deep recession, and in regaining our economic sovereignty.
Having been reluctant to give the Government credit in the past, it is pleasant to see him confirm our achievements.
Yet, despite this success, Fintan now predicts that the State is set to wobble, that the centre cannot hold, and that the stability that this Government has achieved is in jeopardy because it fails to meet so many of the standards that Fintan himself sets for it.
His answer for this is undefined “radical change”. We can only assume that by this he means Syriza-style radical change, for he wrote only a few weeks ago that Ireland must stand with the Greek government in its negotiations with the European Union.
It is already apparent that rather than a radical renegotiation of the debt, Syriza will end up with an Irish-style programme of adjustment. Greece is, in effect, where Ireland was five years ago, with an easing of its debt only being achieved if its government gets a grip of the public finances. This is precisely the approach that the Labour Party adopted, and which has contributed to the positive economic performance we are now enjoying.
Yes, our State remains imperfect and we are constantly trying to change it and make it better for all Irish people, but calling for a Syriza-style revolution in Ireland just at the time when jobs are being created, people are coming home, and families are starting to enjoy a bit more money to run their households, seems rather detached from reality. – Yours, etc,
ERIC BYRNE, TD
Leinster House,
Kildare Street,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – Fintan O’Toole writes: “The second thing that’s more or less gone is Fianna Fáil”. The once all-powerful Fianna Fáil organisation may have been in a moribund state after the last general election – a party on the brink of extinction – but rumours of its imminent demise were somewhat previous. Fianna Fáil may never dominate the political landscape like it once did but don’t be surprised if the party finds itself back in government – albeit as a junior partner – sometime in the not too distant future. To the dismay of many, the Soldiers of Destiny haven’t gone away, you know. – Yours, etc,
PAUL DELANEY,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.