Sir, - Your front page editorial of June 29th was incisive and accurate. It described how Government in Ireland works, or doesn't. Perhaps the only argument I have with it was its inference that "fluster and cliche" as a response to crisis only applies to the Department of Justice. The "maelstrom in the middle" (a phrase used by a former Secretary of the Department of Finance to describe Cabinet ministers trying to govern) goes right across every Ministry.
I have spoken, lobbied and written for a long time, both in and out of politics and government, about the need for fundamental reform of the political system of Ireland, starting with the electoral system itself. Along with all others who have tried, I have failed. The interesting thing is that senior politicians of all the main parties have gone on record to agree that there is a crying need for constitutional change to reform politics fundamentally.
While there has to be a response, and quickly, to the proof that major criminals hold our system in their thrall, is there any point in asking once again for a wider examination of what is wrong? Why is the law and governance of Ireland the poor paralysed creature you describe so passionately?
Where would we start? With a Dail of not more than 100 well paid legislators who do that job and are not simultaneously running around interfering in local government (our local government is neither local nor government), Ministers who are highcalibre full time policy and decision makers, not attending chicken n chips functions until 2 a.m. in remote corners of Ireland and arriving bleary eyed to Cabinet meetings or European councils. Each Minister with a proper "cabinet" of experts (not political advisors), laws therefore which do not lead us into tragedies like last week's, or cause us to spend untold millions on powerless tribunals, or leave us with institutions like the gardai which inept politicians have allowed to be managed in a way more fitted to the last century.
If we want high quality politicians, modern laws, a fast moving decision making process, a civil service which responds to firm politicians who will actually manage them, and a country which deserves the Presidency of the European Union not just because it's Buggins's turn, then we have to look at the best systems in Europe for running a small modern democracy.
Even as I write this, my heart sinks, because the people's apathy and the politicians' inactivity are apparently unshakeable. However, your own heartfelt outburst prompted this one. I wonder will anything ever change? - Yours, etc.,
Temple Road,
Dublin 6.