We don't want to live in the old backwater

I REFER to the letters headlined 'Dana put principles before politics' and 'Woman of courage' published in the Irish Examiner of September 20.

Dana failed to retain her European Parliament seat and to gain sufficient support, by a considerable margin, for her presidential campaign.

This strongly suggests that an election, against such a popular incumbent, would have been a waste of time and several million euro.

Few doubt her sincerity, but it is possible to be sincere and wrong. Ireland has gradually emerged over the past 30 years from being an economic backwater with a population painfully lacking in self-confidence to its present level of material success. Nobody would deny that this has come at a price, but few would wish to turn back the clock.

Our two women presidents to date have projected a favourable image of this country to the world.

We don't want the clock in the Áras turned back either.

David H Roberts

Gloundine

Castlegrove

Mallow

Co Cork