Political unity - A formal proposal

Yesterday’s oration at Béal na Bláth was given by Bill O’Herlihy.

He returned to the theme that, for many years, was almost unutterable. He returned to the question raised by the late Brian Lenihan, and others previously, when he spoke at the same event before his premature death — has the time come for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to form a single party?

This newspaper has consistently argued that they should — suggesting that the energies they use to outwit each other would be far better used, in tandem, for the better of the whole country.

Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin have shown they are prepared to leave the past behind if the future offers more potential. It is time they formally brought the idea to their respective parties as the argument for the status quo rings more and more hollow each passing year.