Sir, - It is quite extraordinary to hear politicians admitting to having solicited or accepted large sums of money from powerful business interests for the benefit of their parties, and making the point that no favours were requested in return. Just as on stage, you cannot separate the character from his role or the action from the dramatic circumstances. When a politician receives substantial money from a businessman, the action speaks for itself.
Let both parties protest all they like to the contrary, the transaction will be seen as a "retainer" and they are saved only by the onus of proof. The politician cannot be perceived in isolation from his position of power and influence.
The successful business tycoon carries with him an aura of hardheadedness and of one who knows how to invest money to good effect. No normal person will see such a transaction in the same light as a donation to the Society of St Vincent de Paul or to some anonymous person in the street. When Faust meets the Devil there is more in mind than afternoon tea.
You carried an article by Denis Coghlan (May 10th) which made the point that there had been an orgy of fundraising over the past three years ahead of the passage of the Electoral Bill. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael had, in addition to the day to day running of their organisations, cleared off debts of £3.5 and £1.3 million respectively. Details of how this was done should be requested of the parties. Until the public are satisfied that business and speculative interests have not a stranglehold on our political system the public will continue to get a queasy feeling at the sight of excessive areas of land being rezoned against the advice of the professional planners and in opposition to the voice of the vast majority of the people. Yours, etc.,
Highfield Park,
Leixlip,
Co Kildare.