No winners in George Lee saga

AS the dust gradually begins to settle on the whole George Lee saga, it is interesting to note the two diametrically opposing viewpoints expressed by both the media and the electorate alike.

A certain number of people seem to be of the opinion that Lee has shown complete disregard for the people of the Dublin South constituency who voted for him in such huge numbers in a by-election nine months ago. He has also been castigated as some type of petulant child who threw his toys out of the pram when he did not get his way. On the other hand, he has been hailed in some quarters as a maverick who had the nerve to stand up to the political establishment.

In many ways, both sides of this argument have their merits. While I believe that Lee displayed a certain amount of naivety in believing that he could drastically change the country overnight, I do feel that he should be commended for at least trying to do so.

It can not have been an easy decision to leave such a secure, high-paid job in RTÉ in order to enter the rough and tumble of political life. He obviously felt that he could make a real difference and it is a great pity that we will never see what talent and expertise he could have possibly brought to the cabinet table in two or three years’ time, in the event that Fine Gael will be in government.

The notion, however, that Lee has bottled it is a difficult one to ignore, especially for the people of South Dublin. They are now faced with another by-election at the taxpayers’ expense, less than a year after the last one. They are not the only losers in all of this. As was alluded to on RTÉ's The Frontline on Monday night, spare a thought for Lee’s two former assistants who now find themselves out of a job.

Finally, it is clear that there are no winners in this situation. Fine Gael has undoubtedly been damaged by the whole saga, as has Enda Kenny’s leadership of the party.

While many may disagree, it must be said that Lee’s reputation has also been tainted, at least in the eyes of some of his former constituents.

Indeed, the whole political system has been tarnished as a result of Lee’s exposing of what he termed the “charade” going on inside Leinster House and the “institutionalisation” of Dáil members.

Lee was extremely naive in believing he could resurrect the country from the opposition benches, however, I commend him for having the courage and ambition to try and make a difference. It is just a pity for the country that he chose not to stay the course.

John O’Brien Jr

Killacluig East

Mitchelstown

Co Cork