Sir, – Quis custodiet veritas ? – Yours, etc,
FRANK GOLDEN,
Thor Place, Dublin 7.
Sir, – The past week’s controversy over the apparent bugging of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission highlights one of the reasons it was a mistake to appoint the same person as both Minister of Justice and Defence in 2011.
Historically when security or intelligence matters were discussed at Cabinet two ministers spoke with authority, having received distinct briefings from the agencies they oversaw, namely An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces, bringing different interpretations and sources to government deliberations. Now the dual minister gets both those briefings and only his unified assessment reaches Cabinet, stifling debate.
In the past, justice and defence ministers regularly differed on security and intelligence assessments, which facilitated informed discussions at Cabinet. This was existentially important during the Troubles, but even now when dealing with dissidents, jihadists or matters such as bugging, this separation of power and diversity of opinion would be a prudent check on a vital function of state.
By combining these key roles, the current Government has denied itself the possibility of such robust and informed debate and oversight. Until this mistake is rectified we must just hope it doesn’t overly damage the Cabinet’s ability to deal with the security matters before it. – Yours, etc,
Dr KEVIN BYRNE,
Schoolhouse Lane,
Dublin 2.
Sir, So the Garda Commissioner's pigeon has come home to roost (Home News, February 15th)? Whatever happened to the chickens? Or are they just smoke and daggers? – Yours, etc,
FRANK CHEATLE,
Westtown,
Tramore,
Co Waterford.
Sir, – If Conor Cruise O’Brien were alive today, might the GSOC bugging allegations inspire him to coin the neologism, “BUGU” (bizarre, unbelievable, grotesque, unprecedented)? – Yours, etc,
PAUL DELANEY,
Beacon Hill,
Dalkey, Co Dublin.
Sir, – An appropriate response from a mature State would be to elevate the head of GSOC to the same status as the Comptroller and Auditor General by way of an amendment to the Constitution. – Yours, etc,
EWAN DUFFY,
Castletown,
Celbridge,
Co Kildare.