Sir, - With his black arm band face and voice in place, the Taoiseach, John Bruton, declared in the Dail what a good friend he was, and how well he knew the slain journalist, Veronica Guerin. To prove it, he was able to name her widowed husband Graham and son Cathal when he offered his condolences. The leader of the opposition, Bertie Ahern, followed with his sympathy, again stating what wonderful friends he was with the Guerins since childhood, and wasn't he impressive when he named not only Veronica's husband and son, but her grieving mother, brothers, and sisters as well!
While "lesser" politicians on the opposition benches are not nearly as impressive at proving how well they knew the deceased and her family, they do cry in a vacuum for reform of our antiquated legal system. But why should the "rainbow" listen to these voices in the wilderness, and allow them to take the credit for the reforms. But on the other hand, if the Taoiseach were to call a full day's debate, in say a month's time, the public would have cooled down, and for a minimum of reforms, the Government could really look good and take all the credit.
And so it came to pass. Every one is delighted with this solution! The drug barons have no reason to threaten any of the Government ministers with assassination, as the Government has lulled them into a sense of security by their apparent inactivity. The only casualties are our sons and daughters who get "hooked" on hard drugs, leading them into a life of hopeless crime, sickness, and death and, of course, the barons themselves who assassinate each other in their territorial disputes.
The truth of the matter is that our Government is weak and soft. The members seek power for power's sake, and for the perks that go with the job. They have abdicated the responsibilities that are part and parcel of accepting the mantle of authority that is the most essential element of governing a nation. Their primary aim is apparently to abdicate as much responsibility as possible, without endangering their pensions.
I appeal to the Government, and in particular to John Bruton, to start behaving like a head of state instead of a juggler. Nora Owen has proved herself to be important in her position as Minister of Justice. She has yet to act she re acts! Instead of leading the fight against crime which she has been employed to do, she is running around in circles catching balls to stop them landing on her head. Grow up, Mr Bruton. To quote Harry S. Truman "THE BUCK STOPS HERE!" Yours, etc., Grangewood, Dublin 16.