Sir, – I suspect that in the next election many voters, while not wishing to sack the Taoiseach or even to ask him to resign, may have “difficulty in expressing confidence in him”. What, I wonder, would be the result of that? – Yours, etc,
TONY BURKE,
Baldoyle,
Dublin 13
Sir, – Once again Martyn Turner hits the nail on the head with few words and a brilliant cartoon (September 2nd).
How on earth did the commission arrive at the dual conclusions that “the Taoiseach did not intend to put pressure on the Garda Commissioner to retire” and that it was “a reasonable conclusion for the former Garda Commissioner to have interpreted the message delivered to him . . . as an indication that he should consider his position”?
The Taoiseach’s evasive tactics are reminiscent of those adopted by his predecessors in government. I voted for Fine Gael last time to get rid of this element in politics. I am amazed at my naivety and wonder whether at the age of 85 I should just accept defeat. – Yours, etc,
ROBERT BATES,
Delgany,
Co Wicklow.
A chara, – It never ceases to amaze me how Irish politicians can readjust their positions on various stories to suit their own agendas. When Martin Callinan made his unfortunate“digusting” remark in relation to whistleblowers, the Opposition was enraged and called for his head. Now that it seems to be the case that his departure was overseen by the Government, the same people are equally, if not more, enraged by the manner of his departure. Go figure! – Is mise,
PAT BURKE WALSH,
Ballymoney,
Wexford.
Sir, – Shock, horror. We have discovered that we have a Taoiseach who takes action when required. What a change from what we had to endure over the previous 10 or so years. The constant pathetic bleating of Micheál Martin is difficult to take. This is coming from a man who stood idly by as our country was almost economically destroyed and whose only excuse for inaction as minister for health was that he had, on a particular issue, received the file but did not read it. No comment is really necessary as to Sinn Féin. – Yours, etc,
PATRICK MURPHY,
Mullingar,
Co Westmeath.
Sir, – How could anyone criticise a taoiseach of the day for holding any senior official accountable for their actions, especially one who was presiding over the national police force? For Fianna Fáil to table a vote of no confidence in the Taoiseach on this occasion is not only a feeble attempt at political point-scoring but is also, to coin a phrase, disgusting. – Yours, etc,
JOSEPH CORR,
Rush,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Given the numerous and mainly polar interpretations of the Fennelly report, should we not have another inquiry to interpret the interpretations? – Yours, etc,
BRIAN CULLEN,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – As a result of the Fennelly report, Sinn Féin has called for the resignation of Enda Kenny. Of course he may be regarded as Taoiseach, but does that necessarily mean we can link him with membership of the Government? – Yours, etc,
EUGENE TANNAM,
Firhouse,
Dublin 24 .
Sir, – If it wasn’t for Charlie Haughey there would be no word in the English language which could adequately and accurately describe the dysfunctional communications, as revealed by Fennelly, in the Department of Justice, the Garda Síochána and the Attorney General’s office, and the subsequent political circus that was the “sacking” of the Garda commissioner. Thank God for “Gubu”. – Yours, etc,
DES GILROY,
Howth,
Co Dublin.