MARY O’Rourke should have no problem “amalgamating” with Fine Gael. I’m sure any members of Fianna Fáil who want to join other parties need only apply for membership in the normal manner and the applications will be duly considered.

YOUR columnist Matt Cooper (March 8) declared that Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Brian Cowen “effortlessly demolished Enda Kenny’s attacks on him for propping up Ahern, flooring a visibly distressed Kenny with his comment ‘you are neither qualified nor able’ to judge Ahern”.

AM I alone in noticing a tendency lately among some political correspondents and various ‘guest’ commentators in print and on air to question the opposition’s ability to run the country because they have little or no experience of serving in government?