A lesson from ‘probably the greatest Irishman’

IN his letter (October 15), Andrew Doyle emphasises the opportunism of independent TDs.

In my view he has chosen too small a target. Within the party system, national interest is routinely subordinated to factional party interests. In a speech to his Bristol constituents, Edmund Burke (probably the greatest Irishman ever) said: “Parliament is a deliberative assembly of one nation, with one interest, that of the whole; where, not local purposes, not local prejudices ought to guide, but general good, resulting from the general reason of the whole”.

And again: “Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.”

Is there a politician anywhere who would follow that path? Probably not. And if one did he would get little thanks either from his colleagues or the electorate. Yet something has to be done. Our country is in a dangerous condition and the posturing that passes for politics here will not serve us. It is time to abandon personal ambition so that the interests of the country can be advanced – the general good, resulting from the general reason of the whole.

At present people stand on the shoulders of drowning men to try to get to the top of the heap... to take a quick gulp of power before we all go under.

And go under we will unless the power junkies pack it in, at least until we are out of this mess.

Fergus O’Leary

Ardmore Estate

Passage West

Co Cork