JOHN J. FALLON,
Sir, - I would like to applaud Kevin Myers for highlighting the dilemma exposed by the Flood Tribunal (An Irishman's Diary, October 1st). As he correctly points out, we now profess amazement at the extent of corruption in the halcyon days of tax-dodgingduring the Haughey era and afterwards. Time after time corrupt politicians got the approval of the people and were re-elected. The Flood report, therefore, should be an object of sober reflection, not only for politicians and greedy speculators but for the voters in every dodgy constituency in the land.
We are not just spectators in the democratic process; we are instrumental. And those elected to high office can often be a reflection of our own deep desires and aspirations. As Paulo Freire wrote of the duality that afflicted the peasants of South America: "For them, to be is to be like, and to be like is to be like the oppressor." For oppressor read corrupt politician.
The task, then, is to examine ourselves as well as the people we put at the top during the inglorious reign that Flood has unmasked. We get the leaders we deserve. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN J. FALLON, Boyle, Co Roscommon.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - On Wednesday evening the viewing public were treated to a somewhat hesitant masterclass in Jesuitical equivocation . This was given by the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, who, in an interview with Brian Dobson, was less than convincing in arguing that he and his colleagues in the Progressive Democrats were ignorant of the true state of the public finances when entering into another unholy coalition with Fiánna Fáil.
Earlier, on the same network, we were treated to the déjà vu experience of Mary Harney bleating out the same old platitudes about reassurances from Mr Ahern, etc., etc., ad nauseam.
Do the Progressive Democrats need remedial intervention? Have they, in fact, become the Repressive Democrats? Surely Ms Harney must realise at this stage that for she and her party to remain morally solvent, they must sever all connections with their corrupt, anachronistic, monolithic partner.
One does not have to be a student of Shakespeare to realise that Ray Burke, like Banquo, has not yet left the party - pun intended. More corpses are forthcoming.
In an open, functioning democracy, Mr Ahern would, by now, have sacked his arrogant and incompetent Finance Minister for not falling on his own sword. Mr Ahern would then resign and follow Mr McCreevy into the political wilderness.
However, these would be the actions of honourable men and we are living, unfortunately, in modern Ireland, not Utopia. It is now up to Enda Kenny to show his mettle. A week before the opening of the Dáil, he has been given a loaded howitzer, a strategic advantage and an open target. These are not times for compromise. His thoughts must be lethal. His aim, true. - Yours, etc.,
BRIAN QUIGLEY, Newcourt, Swords, Co Dublin.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - "To suggest that Fianna Fáil are in any way ambivalent about this matter [payments to politicians\] I'm afraid, doesn't stand up to scrutiny." - Mr Brian Cowen, The Irish Times, October 2nd.
Is it just that Ray, Charlie, Liam and Padraig weren't listening? - Yours, etc.,
ADRIAN CARROLL, Gladstone Street, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.