YOUR editorial (January 20) while making some valid points, widely misses the mark.

WHAT is it about our political class that they latch onto cliches and they hack them to death.

IF anybody questioned Micheál Martin’s motivation for challenging for the leadership of Fianna Fáil, then the post-heave wave of admiration and support for the former minister provided the answer.

PERHAPS it would be stretching cynicism way wide of the uprights of reality to suggest that the shenanigans of Fianna Fáil over the last week were nothing more than a sideshow to divert our attention from the litany of fiascoes that this party in government is responsible for.

AFTER having brazened so many storms, the newly resigned ministers must know that something worse is on the way.

BRIAN COWEN and Fianna Fáil have yet again shown us their arrogance, incompetence, lack of accountability, contempt for the people and denial of the state of the nation over the past few days.

NOW that the election date has been set, it is time for the Irish public to make a serious effort to vote intelligently.

MICHEÁL MARTIN was my history teacher in the long-lamented lost St Kieran’s College of Camden Place for the 1985/86 Leaving Certificate.

THE latest attempted cabinet reshuffle stunt by Fianna Fáil is a new low in party before country.