Common failing

THOUGH absolutely non-party political, as I have always been and intend so to remain, I notice the top three cabinet members – Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and Finance Minister Brian Lenihan – have two things in common: they are clearly unequal to the task and all three inherited their seats from their fathers.

Dare I suggest these two facts are not unconnected.

It’s time the electorate realised the situation whereby sitting TDs behave as if membership of Dáil Eireann was part of their estate which they are perfectly entitled to pass on to their children will continue as long as we tolerate it.