Taoiseach is hearing the wrong message

AS a response to the recent local and European election results, Taoiseach Brian Cowen has vowed to re-organise and modernise the Fianna Fáil organisation to make it “fit for purpose”.

It seems Mr Cowen has chosen to blame local grassroots organisations for his defeat at the polls, rather than the failings of his own leadership.

What does it say for the priorities of the Taoiseach that his first response to the election results was a pledge to revitalise the Fianna Fáil party, rather than a pledge to revitalise our flagging economy?

The voters have sent a message to Mr Cowen, but he seems to have interpreted it in the only way he can – that is, through a prism of selfish loyalty to “the party”, rather than any sense of loyalty to the nation itself.

Barry Walsh

Brooklawn

Clontarf

Dublin 3