The Irish are a bloody decent lot. Perhaps we are too decent, too understanding, and, maybe, too forgiving? We Irish bring the notion of 'benefit of the doubt' to a level where we could be accused of being naive, and perhaps, self destructive? The ballyhoo in Galway last week revealed some of the most potent fault lines regarding our propensity for naivety.

The Fianna Fáil party has let its notorious mask slip so many times now that even the most die-hard supporter of the 'republican' party must see them for what they are, a bunch of chancers and gougers. The contrast with the true values of republicanism, and what this organisation has come to represent ? an incompetent despotat ? is becoming too much to bear.

The sight of Brian Cowen surrounded by aggressive henchmen, all denying what is as plain as a pint of the black stuff, is shameful.

This lot would deny sin at the gates of heaven and stand a good chance of overcoming Saint Peter by their obduracy.

What depressed me most about the whole 'not-drunk-gate' incident was the image it sends out to the world about the Irish. Sadly the stereotype of the Irish as a drunken and feckless people has been tattooed onto the global consciousness, irrespective of how deep into denial the Fianna Fáil bunkers-dwellers are.

The other great issue for us as a nation posed by this scandal is the fact that over-consumption of alcohol is at the heart of all our problems. For too many, if we are down we drink ourselves stupid. If we are up, we drink ourselves stupid. If we feel we are on an even keel, we drink ourselves stupid. I'd like to think that 'not-drunk-gate' was the final straw with regard to our tolerance for a taoiseach who is beyond redemption, but alas, this is Ireland. His fellow drinkers, of all political hues, will declare, as we slide into hell, "sure, tis better to have a man in charge that can appreciate a pint than one who is serious all the time".

Declan Doyle

Lisdowney

Kilkenny

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