Cardiff's bid for Europe role

Sir, – I have heard Proinsias De Rossa refer to the rejection (by a budgetary committee of the European Parliament) of Kevin…

Sir, – I have heard Proinsias De Rossa refer to the rejection (by a budgetary committee of the European Parliament) of Kevin Cardiff to the European Court of Auditors as being unfair, as he was only a civil servant whose role was to provide advice and opinion to the government and that he should not be blamed for the decisions taken by politicians.

As his judgment seems to be the critical issue here, would it not be advantageous for the advice he gave and opinions he expressed at various times over the past years to be made public? We could all then judge whether the rejection of his appointment is unfortunate for him (if that is how you can describe someone who has received the kind of golden handshake and pension arrangement that he has!) – Yours, etc,

CIAN CROSSEN,

Highthorn Park,

Glenageary, Co Dublin.

Sir, – I couldn’t help but be amused while looking at the CV of Kevin Cardiff to note that while assistant secretary (banking, finance, and international division) at the Department of Finance between 2000 and 2005 one of his achievments was “Managing a major programme of financial sector legislation”. – Yours, etc,

RUARY MARTIN,

Clonard Court,

Balbriggan, Co Dublin.