Madam, – It is with great dismay that I read about the private briefing given to some TDs and Senators by Anglo Irish Bank (Home News, September 8th).
Recognising the right of Anglo Irish Bank management to brief whoever they want in relation to their future plans, it is very surprising that such a briefing took place away from Leinster House and behind closed doors.
Oireachtas committees are a vital part of our democracy. The practice of witnesses appearing before a committee, where they can have their say, be questioned by members of the committee, and with the permission of the chairman by any other member of the Oireachtas is well established. This use of the committee system is inscribed in law and has the advantage that it is open and transparent.
Subsequently, any member of the Oireachtas, and the general public can access a verbatim written account of the proceedings.
The previous management of Anglo Irish Bank has left a dreadful mess behind them, responsibility for which has now been taken on by every citizen of Ireland. The new board and new management of Anglo Irish Bank have a very difficult task. We need to have confidence that they have the ability to carry out the task of managing this toxic bank.
Unfortunately, what they did on Tuesday does not inspire confidence that a new regime is in place.
As a democratically elected representative to Dáil Éireann, I, and every one of my 166 colleagues, need as much information about this bank as possible. We will have to make very serious decisions about its future – decisions which will affect not just our generation but future generations of Irish people.
Carrying out private briefings to a select few TDs and Senators behind closed doors is a disgrace and a serious error of judgment by Anglo Irish Bank. – Yours, etc,