Madam, - The announcement of a resignation date by Bertie Ahern has come at a high price. For two days the airwaves have been dominated by Fianna Fáil propagandists eulogising a national figure whose credibility is in tatters and who has bowed out in distinctly unsavoury circumstances. What emerges is a picture of a political party with no moral fibre, ethical framework or respect for the people.
The Constitution demands "fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State" of every citizen, but members of Fianna Fáil continue to prize the good of their party over the broader public good, self-interest over the national interest.
Government Ministers have stated ad nauseam that answers would be given by Mr Ahern in Dublin Castle, while simultaneously lambasting the independent judges sitting on the tribunal.
If his finances were amenable to straightforward explanations they would have been given a year ago, and his resignation would not have been necessary.
Those who are already proposing Mr Ahern for future high office in this country and abroad would do well to remember these facts.
The Taoiseach has avoided greater public ire thus far because his personal life lacks the ostentation and high living of his mentor, Charles Haughey.
The fact that no favours appear to have followed various payments has also been a factor. However, the notion that it was acceptable for a politician to accept money from private individuals prior to the enactment of ethics legislation is deeply questionable.
It is a basic precept of a democratic State that public servants serve the people, not sectional interests.
The conduct of the Government parties in this fiasco serves to debase politics and discredit Ireland's international reputation. At a time when moral leadership and courage were called for, not one member of those parties acted in the national interest.
- Yours, etc,
MARK COEN, Tubber Road, Gort, Co Galway.
Madam,- Bertie has finally stood aside to allow someone else take the reins, but I have to say I feel sad for him, to have to end his career like this.
If there was ever any doubt about the true character of Bertie and his commitment to this country it was the day he returned to the talks in Belfast which culminated in the Good Friday Agreement while his mother lay dead in Dublin.
As a Northerner myself, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bertie for that rare commitment and I hope he will take pride in the outcome of those talks and remember this above all else that has come his way.
While others talked and used the Northern issue as a political football Bertie rolled up his sleeves to help.
Such commitment and achievement dwarfs any of the issues that are currently being debated and I hope people keep that perspective. He and others have helped save countless lives.
As regards his other conduct, if it has been less than what is expected today I would say two things:
It is a bit harsh to judge someone by today's standards on events that happened a long time ago.
To deny this is to deny the dynamic of life.
If we demand perfection in our neighbours we should first be perfect ourselves.
I wish him well for the future.
- Yours, etc,
JOHN P CARLIN, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.
Madam, - Dare the nation hope that the attack on the Mahon tribunal by Bertie Ahern in UCD was the "last sting of the dying wasp" of arrogant politicians, selective memories and cute hoorism.
- Yours, etc,
PATRICK O'LEARY, Moycullen, Galway.
Madam, - On a popular late-night talk show last week, it was pointed out that taoiseach-to-be Brian Cowen admitted to smoking pot in his years in college.
Callers were furious that this man would be in charge soon and I couldn't help but laugh.
Are we so backwards as a nation, or so used to believing lies and spin, that we become outraged at the appointment of an honest politician to run our country for a change?
- Yours, etc,
SARAH WHITEACRE, Raheny, Dublin 5.
Madam, - No matter what scandals the new Taoiseach finds himself embroiled in in the future, can we all agree now that the term "Cowengate" will never be used?
- Yours, etc,
FRANK NEENAN, Tullow Road, Carlow.