No need for motley crew of independent TDs

I refer to Niall Ryan’s letter (Dec 15) in which he argues for a vote for independent candidates in forthcoming elections.

A number of backbenchers have recently defected from major political parties and hope, because of this, they will be elected as independents in next general election. Did these people resign because of local or national interests?

Having survived the late 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, I am aware that the national interests are more important that local interests. Having survived severe poverty in those years — the 1960s were years of emancipation from depression — we had something to look forward to.