Madam, – The most misused word at present is “responsibility”.
Bishop Magee of Cloyne says he accepts responsibility for his failure to implement a protocol to prevent continuing child abuse in his diocese. Taoiseach Cowen says he accepts responsibility for his actions in recent years as Minister of Finance.
In fact they both accepted profound responsibilities when they first assumed office in these roles, and they signally failed to discharge them effectively.
It is small comfort to those affected by their incompetence (as well as being meaningless) for them now to say: “I accept responsibility.” – Yours, etc,