Politicians are not uniquely or exclusively to blame for turning a blind eye to what went on during the Haughey years, Labour TD Mr Pat Rabbitte has said. He accused the media at the time of reporting on Mr Charles Haughey's lifestyle with approbation and occasional awe, and at the present time of allowing a reduction in the space allocated to reportage and commentary of Dail business. He said that the Oireachtas and the media, without compromising their respective functions, had a convergence of interest in raising the quality of debate on public affairs.
Speaking in defence of politics at the Burleigh Accountancy Group business seminar in Castlebar last Friday, Mr Rabbitte said it should not be forgotten that most of the great political scandals were also business scandals.
Corporate malpractice, tax evasion and failure to comply with company law had grown as business had grown.
Mr Rabbitte criticised young people, saying they lived in a hugely changed and more tolerant Ireland than their parents. Many of them were too busy making money to care about the character of their society.
"Politicians may be primarily responsible for that loss of confidence but they are not exclusively to blame, and some perspective should be maintained," Mr Rabbitte said. Schools, media, business, churches and others all had a role in restoring confidence.