I feel totally unrepresented in our Dail

[Seosamh]

More and more citizens are realising that FF,FG,Labour,Greens,SF are all the same, and that the political party system doesn't represent them, and that it should be scrapped and replaced by a radical movement of true Irish patriots

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/le...l-2244827.html

I have just read David Quinn's article ('Church needs to hold its nerve in face of hostility', Irish Independent, July 2).

I am a 31-year-old married father of one and my heart sank this morning when I heard that the Civil Partnership Bill had passed through the Dail without even a vote.

It appears that out of the 163 representatives in the Dail there is not one TD prepared to voice opposition to the relentless march towards a "new, modern, progressive Ireland".

In reality, it is quite clear that this "new, modern, progressive Ireland" that they seek is nothing more than the triumph of radicalism over common sense. I now feel completely unrepresented.

Traditionally, I have always been a Fine Gael supporter, but now it seems that my participating in this democracy has become entirely pointless. All of the political parties share the same opinions, policies and political platforms.

It is impossible for the electorate to have their voice heard because there is simply no alternative to the political doctrine being offered.

At least David Quinn's column offers some sustenance; it's good to know I'm not alone.

Bryan Sheehan

Bruff, Co Limerick

[JSE]

. . . it is quite clear that this "new, modern, progressive Ireland" that they seek is nothing more than the triumph of radicalism over common sense.

The socio-political history of this country for the last fifty years has been marked by a complete absence of any original and native thinking. Everything has been imported or aped. This latest development is just more of the same - other countries are doing this therefore we should do this. Anything native and authentic is bad (unless it can be packaged for tourists), everything foreign and 'progressive' is good. This kind of mentality is the legacy of colonialism, where for hundreds of years all decisions are made by the colonial power and where the native people have been reduced to a pitiful state by the devastation of the 17th century, the Penal Laws, Famine and mass emigration. I think the key to understanding this is in this essay - http://irish-nationalism.net/showthr...alignant-Shame