Sir, – Newton Emerson gives lie to the claim often charged at Sinn Féin in the Republic that it can’t be trusted in government (“Sinn Féin stance in Northern Ireland makes it plain its natural coalition partner is Fianna Fáil,” May 28th).
What your columnist lays bare is that Sinn Féin is a pragmatic party in Northern Ireland and can adjust its policy positions accordingly when confronted with the intransigence of unionists or the conservative views of the electorate while also keeping an eye on south of the Border.
As to assertion that there might be “nothing in its northern journey to be ashamed of” and that its natural coalition partner is Fianna Fáil, I doubt very much that will get much traction while Micheál Martin is leader and who clearly prefers his bed with Fine Gael.
Which leads one to question: are we selling ourselves short in the Republic with our myopic view of alternative governing options? – Yours, etc,
RM Block
TOM McELLIGOTT,
Listowel,
Co Kerry.
Sir,- It will probably take another general election before Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael finally cross the Rubicon and decide to amalgamate. Given the parties’ remarkable similarity, such a merger is well nigh inevitable.
Indeed, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Tweedledee and Tweedledum of Irish politics are already engaged in sub rosa discussions about just such a fusion.
When, not if, these two Civil War parties bury the metaphorical hatchet, it will result in the emergence of a cohesive and unified left alliance – a coalition with a genuine chance of forming a truly socialist government.
Wishful thinking? Well, perhaps, but one is allowed to dream. – Yours, etc,
PAUL DELANEY,
Dalkey.
