I feel totally unrepresented in our Dail
Saturday July 03 2010
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
The country is becoming flooded with civil rights for all manner of people, even the uncertain. Have some anyway, is the chant.
Will the day ever come when fathers receive natural rights to parenthood, or unfettered access to their children?
The horror of a dad being deprived of seeing his children based on the any-lie-will-do basis is a scandal.
Robert Sullivan
Bantry, Co Cork
Discussion around the Civil Partnership Bill seems to concentrate on same-sex couples and ignores the elephant in the room.
It is unmarried, heterosexual couples that will be mainly affected.
Non-marriage will become pseudo-marriage and with pseudo-marriage comes pseudo-divorce and massive transfer of wealth from hard-working men to hardly working women.
Gold-diggers used to have to get a man up the aisle in order to steal his kids, house and money.
The Government has helpfully removed that obstacle.
Anthony Whelan
Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan
Irish Independent
