A chara, - Patrick O'Leary (April 7th) wonders whether Bertie Ahern's attack on the Mahon tribunal was the "last sting of a dying wasp" of arrogant politicians and cute hoorism in this country.
In his resignation speech, Mr Ahern refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing in accepting vast quantities of money from private individuals, a statement which elicited no response from any Government minister. In the days following his speech Mr Ahern welcomed Beverley Flynn back to the Fianna Fáil party, indicating without irony that her return had come "at an appropriate time". Recently the Taoiseach has expressed the desire, which seems to be gaining currency among politicians, to scrap the law governing tribunals, thus further eroding political accountability.
The patriot in me should share Mr O'Leary's hope that the country is maturing politically subsequent to this affair, but the pragmatist tells me not to hold my breath. - Is mise,
ERIC CREAN, Shandon Gardens, Dublin 7.
Madam, - I hope Brian Cowen has encouraged Beverly Flynn to take up the position of Finance Minister. It's a taxing job, but one that has evaded Ms Flynn for far too long. - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL KELLY, Victoria Street, Dublin 8.
Madam, - Sheila Peck (April 8th) says that "when the Taoiseach smiled, it was like the sun came out".
Was it really the Taoiseach's smile from which the sun emanated? - Yours, etc,
DONNCHADH WOULFE, Clapham, London.
A chara, - According to our soon to be ex-Taoiseach the Mahon Tribunal's questioning of his former secretary was "low-life" and the nailing of him by the tribunal was "a lot of auld nonsense".
This is an example of populist crowing to the lowest common denominator voter, the same voters who put his party into power time and again.
I thank The Irish Timesfor risking all and staying on this waffler's tail, and I thank our schoolteachers for gradually educating our children so that they can in time discriminate between a charismatic man and the shallowness of his words. - Is mise,
MUREDACH DOHERTY, Lower Beechwood Avenue, Dublin 6.
Madam, - If a sufficient number of Pygmies gather together and fire off their poisoned arrows in unison, even the greatest of giants can be brought down. A great oak has fallen in the forest. - Yours, etc,
RICHARD BOYLE, The Maudlings, Naas, Co Kildare.