Madam, - Is the focus of the recent payments scandal correct? The Manchester payments are surely of less significance than the appointments of friends to public boards - especially some who had given "loans" to the Taoiseach.
One would have thought the Taoiseach would have to say, "Sorry, lads, you're my friends and it would compromise my political integrity if I gave you an appointment - doubly so after that loan you gave me", but this does not seem to occur to anyone in Fianna Fail as having been necessary. Indeed, the focus of much criticism is on the PDs now for not telling Bertie to go.
Surely the focus should be on Fianna Fáil itself? Is there no one in that party with the guts to stand up to this cronyism and corruption and say: "Sorry Bertie, the blank cheques were bad enough, but it compromises the party's political integrity to keep you now." Apparently not. - Is mise,
IAIN PRICE, Islandeady, Co Mayo.
Madam, - Your arrogance is breathtaking. Having instigated the media frenzy that seems intent on destroying the good name of the Taoiseach, you then show utter contempt for the laws of this republic by ordering the destruction of the papers legally requested by the tribunal. Your subsequent refusal to cooperate with the tribunal, using that time-honoured excuse of "protecting your source", is the refuge of a coward.
Given your contempt for the law of the land your assertion that you act in the public interest does not bear scrutiny. Self-interest and that of your paper's circulation figures would seem a more plausible explanation.
Until proven otherwise, Mr Ahern (for whom I hold no brief) has not committed any crime or broken any law, yet he has been vilified by all sections of the media. Conversely, you, madam, may have already broken several laws by your actions. While it may or may not have been your intention, you have also helped to undermine this Government and the work of the Mahon tribunal.
Shame on you for bringing this reputable paper into disrepute and contributing to a trial by media. The cynics, the begrudgers and the comedians are having a field day at the expense of a man who is human, fallible like the rest of us, but also has an outstanding record of dedicated service to this republic on many fronts. How many of us can say the same? - Yours, etc,
JOHN O'GRADY, Glounthaune, Co Cork.
Madam, - I note with concern that certain criticisms have been expressed in these pages in recent days over the editorial decision not to disclose to the Mahon Tribunal the source of the now infamous leak to The Irish Times.
While others may argue that this is in some way objectionable in "the interests of transparency", I do not agree that the editor of any publication, having been provided with material from someone who wishes to preserve their privacy out of concern for their position, is acting contrary to the interests of the public by preserving the anonymity of the source.
The leaked material raises serious ethical questions about the behaviour of the head of the Government. In publishing such information the press is exercising its role as the watchdog of democracy. And the press can only operate in this role if those who approach the press with "sensitive" information which should be in the public domain are assured of anonymity.
If their identity is revealed, pressure could be brought to bear to suppress the information and we, the voters, would be ignorant of these matters of grave public concern. Do we really consider this to be a positive thing in a democratic state? I certainly do not.
When all other checks and balances fail, a free, unfettered press, whose members take action such as you have done, is fulfilling a civic duty by bringing questions of fundamental importance to the public sphere. Such actions should be applauded and encouraged, not condemned. - Yours, etc,
PHILIP MURPHY, Castletroy, Limerick.
Madam, - For heaven's sake, can the Taoiseach now be left alone to deal with the important issues at national and international levels for which he was elected? I, and other members of the public I have spoken with, are just bored with this nick-picking. - Yours, etc,
NOEL CLARKE, Shannon Weir, Athlone, Co Westmeath.
Madam, - Fianna Fáil councillor Cormac Devlin berates the Opposition parties for wasting time on this matter rather than concentrating on the issues that matter most - healthcare, childcare places, transportation, environment. I agree with him.
Could he also ask his leader Bertie Ahern, the second highest-paid prime minister in the EU, to devote his valuable (and costly) time to these very issues, rather than going around the country opening schools, pubs, banks, hospital units? - Yours, etc,
PAT CAULFIELD, Riversice Drive, Dublin 14.