Madam, – I refer to the admission by the Minister for Defence that he made a false statement under oath to the courts.
I served in the FCA as a member of the 21st Infantry Battalion, until the age of 57. In my early 20s I was commissioned an officer by the swearing of an oath in the presence of the then minister for defence Michael Hilliard. Later this year, Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea will carry out the very same duty when cadets become officers upon graduation from the Cadet School, and when reserve officers are similarly commissioned.
This is the Minister who pointed a weapon at a photographer, in breach of the most important weapons safety rules in the Army. Deputy O’Dea is an officer also – he, being a solicitor, is an officer of the Irish courts. He, more than most citizens, is an expert in the solemnity and seriousness of a statement made under oath before the courts. He doubtless swore an oath to uphold the truth when being enrolled as a solicitor.
As a Christian he doubtless is also conscious of the sacredness of an oath made before God.
Officers, NCOs, and men and women of the Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces, serving and retired, are dishonoured by such behaviour. Our courts and the legal profession are similarly dishonoured. Personally I am ashamed of the man.
As for this year’s cadets, when your turn comes to be commissioned, do not think that your oath or declaration is devalued by his presence. Your pledge is to the people of Ireland, and to the office of Minister for Defence. Disregard the behaviour of the current holder of the office. He will not understand the import of your oath, made as an officer candidate, and his presence will not reflect adversely upon your worthiness and your commitment to the oath. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – May we now assume that perjury is politically correct and that we are officially The Banana Republic of Ireland? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I refer to Willie O’Dea’s claim that his affidavit error was a private matter. From the moment he left Áras an Uachtaráin with his seal of office he was a constitutional office- holder and as such, has a higher level of public accountability than the ordinary citizen.
It is incredible that the Minister seeks to claim that he has no culpability. His position is compounded by the fact that his interview comments about a candidate were made prior to an election. He has survived a confidence motion, but it remains to be seen if the Limerick voting public will reward him again with the highest national vote. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The scenes and exchanges in the Dáil on Wednesday reminded me of some of the better episodes of The Muppet Show, where comedic- looking characters shout and trade insults with absolutely no effect nor consequence. It would have been highly amusing were it not so egregious and tragic.
A Government Minister who swore a false affidavit to the High Court has the neck to, not only remain in office, but stand up in the chamber and blatantly engage in mudslinging to detract from his outrageous conduct. A spineless coalition partner that looks pained by inner turmoil – but not pained, or maybe principled enough to release his grip on power. An ineffectual opposition, whose only contribution to the process seems to be to try to discredit the current Government, while not providing a viable alternative policy . . . just another day in Irish politics.
I would have considered myself quite politically engaged in the past, but now my eyes just glaze over when I hear any politician talk. Whether FF, FG, Labour, Greens or SF, they are all the same. Am I the only person in Ireland who has become completely disillusioned and disenfranchised by Irish politics and its operators? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – During the course of the debate on the confidence motion, the Taoiseach asked, “Why are we debating the matter this week?” This question goes to the heart of the matter. When the fact became known that Willie O’Dea swore a false affidavit, he should have been removed by the Taoiseach immediately. The defence offered that it was an honest mistake holds no credibility.
Public office is as much about perception as anything else and swearing a false affidavit is unacceptable. The fact that 80 out of 149 members of the House find it acceptable for holders of public office to swear false affidavits tells us a lot about how politicians believe they are above reproach and that they have carte blanche to do as they please without fear of accountability. Mr O’Dea should leave without being asked. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Surely a senior moment from a senior politician (Willie O’Dea: “contrary to my recollection”, Breaking News, February 16th) deserves the soft landing of early retirement? – Yours, etc,
Madam, On Wednesday, Fine Gael Deputy Charles Flanagan was asked to leave the Dáil. His “crime” was terming as a “contrived whitewash” how the Dáil was dealing with allegations that Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea committed perjury.
Is it not a terribly sad reflection on our political system where Deputy Flanagan is asked to leave the Dáil for “casting aspersions” on the Ceann Comhairle, while Mr O’Dea continues in his ministerial post despite providing the High Court with an untrue affidavit under oath? Do we not have any standards in public office? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Time for Greens to change name? FFG – Fianna Fáil Glas. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – If the Green Party has even a screed a credibility, they must surely face down Fianna Fáil and threaten to walk out of Government if Willie O’Dea is not forced to resign. Do the Green Party even realise that it actually has some power? The party members are even more foolish than I thought if they think Fianna Fáil would allow the Government to collapse for the sake of Deputy O’Dea. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The Progressive Democrats went into coalition with Fianna Fáil, and look what happened to them. Dick Spring took the Labour Party into coalition with Fianna Fáil, and look what happened to them. Now the Green Party is in coalition with Fianna Fáil, and look what’s happening to them.
Does anyone else see a pattern here? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The Greens have morphed into the “Vegetables” (or is it the “Turnips”?) and the stench of anaerobic decay from the toxic waste in the compost bin is overpowering. – Yours, etc,