Sir, – The Mahon tribunal’s findings in part remind me of the brilliant defence proffered by the 17th century English Lord Chancellor (and founder of modern science), Francis Bacon, to accusations of corruption by the English parliament: I may have received bribes, but I never let them affect my judgment. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – The Mahon tribunal has held that Bertie Ahern failed to “truthfully account” for the source of lodgments made to his bank account in his evidence to the Mahon tribunal (Breaking News, March 22nd). Mr Ahern’s supporters may attempt to draw solace from the fact that there was no finding of corruption made against him. However that misses the point; absence of evidence is not the same as evidence of absence. A total rejection of his long-winded and unlikely explanations calls for a truthful explanation. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Most people already knew that our planning laws in the past were overly influenced by politicians at local and national level. Why else would any person contact a local councillor or TD about planning matters? The problem is that little or no action will be taken against people named in the report who were corrupt or dishonest in their dealings.
I cannot understand why retrospective action can’t be taken against these people, not just because they profited from dishonesty and lies, but also because they were in breach of the trust placed in them by the nation.
Surely the Criminal Assets Bureau has a role; surely one would question why these people should continue to receive pensions for dishonourable service.
One thing is certain: serious damage has been done to public trust and confidence across the board. As a former teacher of business subjects, I used many of our discredited bankers, politicians and entrepreneurs as examples of positive role models.
Shame on me for being so gullible and for misleading my former students. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Regarding Mahon: “We’ve lost the longest running tribunal of the western world”. – Yours, etc,