Sinn Féin is the chief opposition party because it questions austerity

Godwin Golighty gave us an interesting take on our poor Government and poorer opposition (letters Jan 27), when he told us Fianna Fáil were feeble, Sinn Féin were counter-productive and the Independents were parochial.

Mr Golightly is not happy with the the FG/Lab government economic policy, and I can see how he would think poorly of Fianna Fáil’s watery opposition, since they wrote this failed austerity script.

Mr Golightly wants to have his cake and eat it regarding Sinn Féin and the Independents.

He accuses Sinn Féin of being counter-productive for opposing the Government.

If he doesn’t agree with their credible alternative, then he is little different from Fianna Fáil in believing that apart from giving the odd indignant grunt, the Government is right and we must all take our medicine for the sins of others.

Where austerity is concerned, you won’t find more opposing views than between the Government and Sinn Féin, which is why the latter is viewed as the main party of opposition.

Mr Golightly needs to ask himself if he is for austerity or not. He should also pay more attention to the words of Independent TDs.

Kieran McCarthy

Rushbrooke

Cobh

Co Cork