Sir, – Just over three years ago Enda Kenny hailed the start of a new era in Irish politics that promised to sweep away the cronyism and hubris of the previous administration. The cynics among us took it as just more hot air from a generation of politicians steeped in a culture of secrecy and selfishness.
The events of the past days encapsulate a serious malaise at the heart of Irish society and demonstrate that nothing has changed. The Garda commissioner resigns for “family reasons” on the very day that the revelations of recorded calls to stations are made public. Amid the furore, Mr Shatter appears in the Dáil, but only to answer questions on defence. Earlier in the week Mr Kenny issued veiled threats to his cabinet on talking out of turn regarding the commissioner’s comments on whistle blowers.
Three years ago the Irish public was told it had participated in a “democratic revolution”. The lack of substantial reform in large areas of society and the debacle of the past few days show just how deluded Mr Kenny was when making that statement. Yours, etc,
BARRY WALSH,
Linden Avenue,
Blackrock,
Cork
Sir, – Am I missing something? From your extensive coverage of revelations in relation to An Garda Síochána, it is clear that many high-powered brains in the fields of law, politics, administration and journalism will be occupied for a prolonged period with analysis and investigation.
To the ordinary citizen, it is regrettable that these resources are being diverted from economic and social challenges requiring attention. Why does this situation have to be so complex? Surely the central issue is that management did not do the job it was paid to do, or did it incorrectly.
Presumably every garda recruit is taught the implications of taping a conversation without the agreement of the parties involved. Even if he/she is not, listening to any customer service helpline might make them curious about the practice.
These recruit gardaí advanced through the ranks and were paid to take on managerial responsibility and ensure proper operation of their stations or districts.
In most other organisations, if a manager does not do what he/she is paid to do they take the consequences individually. Real accountability, application of systems already in place in a disciplined force, and removal of those who have not complied with standards would seem a more effective use of taxpayers’ money than setting up yet more investigations and engaging in endless debate. Or am I missing something? Yours, etc,
MAUREEN ROWAN,
Northbrook Avenue,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6
Sir, – The unfolding saga of the mismanagement by senior gardaí of the whistleblowers’ accusations of abuse of the penalty points system arguably highlights the requirement that those in senior positions have the required management training so as ensure real leadership in developing the right culture throughout the organisation, of transparency, accountability and a commitment to continuous improvement based on best international practices.
The recruitment for the next Garda commissioner is a potential opportunity to begin this process. Yours, etc,
FRANK BROWNE,
Ballyroan Park,
Templeogue,
Dublin 16
Sir, – Tony Fagan, a former serving garda, (Letters, March 26th) argues that the force has been denuded of manpower, transport and other resources. As a former member too I can say that this is not the case. The numbers in the Garda Síochána now are as high or higher than they were in the 1970s when large numbers of gardaí were concentrated on the Border and every city, town and rural station had a good compliment of officers.
Patrol cars were then very rare – there was one in every district to serve on average about seven stations. Now practically every station has a patrol car. What has happened is that gardaí themselves have removed themselves from the public, often living a long way away from their base. There are also too many specialist units in the force, too many career breaks, too much service abroad, and with a large influx of females into the force many such members will of course be on maternity leave at any given time.
The force may have leadership issues from time to time, but let us not forget that those same 1970s saw the Garda save our democracy from many who would have subverted it. Mr Callinan would be one of them, but as Mrs Thatcher said on leaving office, it’s a strange old world! Yours, etc,
BRENDAN CAFFERTY,
Ballina,
Co Mayo
Sir, – What nonsense it has been to pretend that the problem in the Garda affair has been that, of the scores of available adjectives, the Commissioner had the misfortune of hitting on the word “disgusting” – described as “infelicitous” by the beLaboured bit of the Government.
The real point was the explicitness of his portrayal of two members of An Garda as having made false accusations against fellow officers with utter indifference to the good name of 14,000 gardaí. It has become very clear whose accusations were false. The prudent assumption that the public interest requires is that the Garda inquiry into that matter was established and conducted for the purpose not of discovering the truth, but concealing it, that it was aimed at sacrificing the whistleblowers, not looking objectively at the concerns they had raised.
Can the public interest then be served without a comprehensive clearout of all those involved in that inquiry, not omitting those at departmental, ministerial and, perhaps, prime-ministerial levels whose political convenience it was to expound on its findings and represent it as more worthy of trust than the lonesome pair of whistleblowers?
What is operating against the public interest is that so much of a commentariat that would otherwise be in full cry baying for blood is relying on a “reforming” Minister as the champion not, in all truth, of justice, but of certain “liberal” causes so dear to their politically correct little hearts. Yours, etc,
FRANK FARRELL,
Lakelands Close,
Stillorgan,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Would I be pushed out to sea in a leaky boat at Banna Strand if I expressed a measure of disgust at certain items on Fintan O Toole’s list (Opinion & Analysis, March 25th)?
I feel sorry for people who were left in financial dffculties when the economy “imploded”. A certain percentage – far too small certainly – were discreetly helped by family and friends, without any ulterior motive. Who invented, from out a nasty mind, the term “dig-out” for such decency and Christian charity? (I am not suggesting that Fintan invented it.)
I resent this stone being thrown repeatedly at certain people in public office, who obviously have the same rights as everybody else to be treated with decency and charity. Fintan did not claim that the Law Society and the medical profession had “imploded”, even though they have had their share of scandals in recent years. They now seem to have tightened up their safeguards and got on with things.
Human nature being what it is there will doubtless be an occasional scandal in the future. Yet Fintan tells us that the Catholic Church has “imploded”. Perhaps implosion, unlike explosion, doesn’t make a big bang, because I haven’t heard any strange noises in my native town. Mind you, the roof did blow off a local hotel on the day of the big wind. Yours, etc,
SHEILA GRIFFIN,
Blennerville,
Tralee,
Co Kerry
Sir, – The same people responsible for finding out what happened to flight MH370 would appear to be also working for Enda’s Kenny Cabinet. All the evidence seems to be available to reach certain conclusions but no one is capable is putting it all together. Or maybe they are doing their level best not to. Yours, etc,
LIAM POWER,
Angel’s Court,
Triq Il-Karmnu,
San Pawl Il-Bahar,
Malta
Sir, – So Commissioner Callinan fell on Minister Shatter’s sword. How many more will do so before the Minister actually realises that he must take responsibility? Yours, etc,
DONAL MOORE,
Rockenham Court,
Ferrybank,
Waterford
Sir, – Might I query a curious omission from the titles listed in the newly published volume Books That Define Ireland , namely, the Garda Station Telephone Log Book? Yours, etc,
BOB CORKEY,
Edendale Lodge,
Kilbride Church,
Wicklow
A chara, – Is it time for Fintan O’Toole to tell David Moyes to go? Is mise,
LOMAN Ó LOINGSIGH,
Ellensborough Drive,
Kiltipper Road,
Dublin 24