Sir, – With Government ministers and, indeed, the Taoiseach, coming out in support of Alan Shatter with depressing predictability, what better way for the Seanad to prove its worth than by passing a motion of no confidence in Mr Shatter? – Yours, etc,
IAN FOLEY,
Charlemont Avenue,
Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
Sir, – I note that Independent Wexford TD Mick Wallace has accused Minister for Justice Alan Shatter of trying to “discredit him” (Breaking News, May 19th). I don’t believe that Deputy Wallace needs any assistance in that endeavour. – Yours, etc,
GEOFF SCARGILL,
Loreto Grange,
Bray, Co Wicklow.
Sir, – I certainly feel there is a campaign to discredit Independents. The Movimento 5 Stelle in Italy has given established political parties cause for fear. I think it is a similar fear that is at the heart of the campaigns to discredit the likes of Mick Wallace, Clare Daly and Ming Flanagan.
A Dáil with more Independents properly representing their constituency can only be good for democracy. – Yours, etc,
LIZZIE FLEMING,
Kilmichael,
Macroom,
Co Cork.
Sir, – Alan Shatter has helpfully created the occasion for considering a disturbing question which has so far been ignored: is it appropriate that any single person – even Mr Shatter’s replacement – should simultaneously be minister both for Justice and for Defence – effectively a Minister for State Security? – Yours, etc,
JOHN MAGUIRE,
Friars’ Walk, Cork.
Sir, – The disclosure by the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, that an Opposition TD had escaped penalty points follows hard on the heels of the leaking that another opposition TD had been arrested and breathalysed following a minor motoring offence. It is beginning to look as though anybody opposing the Government is being singled out for “special treatment” and that a “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” policy is operating between said Minister for Justice and Garda management.
How many more “newsworthy snippets” does Mr Shatter have stored away in his little black book? Perhaps in recognition of Fine Gael’s pre-election promises about openness and honesty he should rename his department “The Stasi”? Incidentally, has Fine Gael’s 2011 election manifesto been “officially expunged” from public view given that there seems no trace of it on the party’s website? – Yours, etc,
ROGER A BLACKBURN,
Abbey Hill,
Naul,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Alan Shatter has defended his pronouncements last week on the basis that it was “in the public interest”. And his colleagues in government have defended his comments by stating that they put “context” on the situation.
Given both of these points, I look forward to Mr Shatter either publishing or broadcasting over the airwaves the names of all the other TDs and senators who have received such "discretion" from the Garda Síochána. Now that he has shown us the public interest angle, surely he should finish the job? I won't be holding my breath. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL BARRY,
Hacketstown,
Co Carlow.