Sir, - In nominating the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee as politician of the year (The Irish Times, December 31st), Drapier says that the DIRT report "laid down a template for future Dail committees".
Really? Now that the beatification process has commenced, we must draw attention to a serious flaw in the proceedings - the failure of the members of the PAC sub-committee to question former Ministers. When the latter appeared on the pitch, the inquiry team passed the buck to their legal advisers and withdrew to the sidelines.
Why? The report refers to PAC traditions of avoiding policy matters and party politics and a desire to treat Ministers "in an absolutely even-handed way". Clever, but not convincing. By opting out, the sub-committee put the future of parliamentary committees in jeopardy. Such committees enhance the checks and balances in our political system but their performance must not be selective. Committee members must be prepared to confront Ministers as well as officials. Otherwise they cease to be a credible check on the executive. - Yours, etc.,
T. O'Connor, Churchtown, Dublin 14.