Contesting East Meath byelection

Sir, – I am all in favour of more female TDs, and of more young TDs. I was as struck as anyone when I heard of the tragic passing of Shane McEntee, and I have no knowledge of, nor anything against his daughter Helen, who will stand in his place in the forthcoming byelection.

However, at the risk of appearing callous, I must ask – does the candidate have to be a blood-relation? Was there nobody more deserving of the nomination among all of those who have spent their lives working for the party in Meath East ? Have we not moved on from this sort of politics? – Yours, etc,

JOHN THOMPSON,

Shamrock Street,

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Phibsboro, Dublin 7.