Why no one else sees fit to defend the Tánaiste

I WONDERED how soon it would be before Fergus Finlay (Opinion, Sept 13) would be rushing to the defence of his slightly beleaguered leader Eamon Gilmore, seeing as no other journalist has seen fit to do so.

Wherever did that strident, bombastic, moralistic, self-important Gilmore disappear to?

Just a mere seven months ago, the same Gilmore, fully aware of the extent of the economic crisis, was strutting around the country like a peacock, totally rejecting the then Government’s economic plan, because Labour had a better way.

With bated breath, we await this better way. According to Finlay, poor Gilmore has only a handful of civil servants to help him in his stressful role as Tánaiste (while omitting to mention his full department complement in the strenuous portfolio of Foreign Affairs).

Neither is it mentioned that the office of Tánaiste was set up by a previous Labour leader Dick Spring, a most blatant waste and abuse of public money.

Mary Harney was also Tánaiste, leader of a small party of little resources and limited organisation, and also Minister of Health, taking on the vested interests of consultants, INO, and the various restrictive practices of the associated hospital union.

She had to put up with the brickbats thrown at her, and accept them as part of the job.

Joe Kennelly

Inniscarra

Co Cork