Letters to the Editor

Madam,

I have no problem with Stephen Collins having a go at me as an Independent T.D. I accept that it’s part of the territory as a politician.  However, I do object to his gross misrepresentation of my position on Dáil votes and the Government as referred in the Opinion and Analysis segment dated 4th September 2010.  His article is inaccurate and totally misleading.  I voted on the issues as they arise in the Dáil and there is nothing “tactical” about them.

In the pre-summer period, I voted against the Government on the vote of ‘No Confidence’.  I did support the Civil Partnership Bill, and voted on Gangland and Animal Welfare legislation on their own merits.  That is what Independents do.

It would appear that Mr Collins does not understand the position of an Independent.  The other sad side of this debate is that Mr Collins and some sections of the media can not think outside “the political party box” when covering Irish politics.

We have over 120 Independent councillors throughout this country doing great work and yet most of them are ignored by people like Mr Collins.  The question that must be asked, why are there so many Independent councillors particularly in recent times? Some are knocking on the door for a Dáil seat. The Independent Senators in the Seanad are recognised across the globe as great performers and are doing an excellent job.  So the Independent position is thriving and thank goodness it lives if we are to have an equitable and democratic society.

In relation to Mr Collins point about “trying to avoid an early Election” is unfounded.  If he checked his facts, he would be well aware that I voted for the bye-Election in the Dáil and my position is the need to have a fresh and new democratic mandate to deal with the economic downturn and mass unemployment.  I suspect we will see more Independent T.Ds in the future especially in Galway East, Waterford, Mayo and in a few more constituencies.

I have no problem with an early Election as I believe in hard work and honest politics.  I trust the next time Mr Collins writes about me, he will check his facts and the Dáíl records before he makes further inaccurate remarks about my political position.

Yours sincerely

Finian McGrath T.D.

6th September 2010