Sir, – Colum Kenny's call for an anti-corruption agency is timely ("Five steps to restoring Irish pride after recent scandals", Opinion & Analysis, August 23rd).
Australia has proved that such a body is effective, but only if investigators are totally independent of politicians.
Independent crime and corruption commissions with extensive powers to conduct hearings that compel people to attend and give evidence, and produce documents and other material, were set up by the Australian states.
In recent years, a state premier, state government ministers, a commissioner of police, a chief magistrate, members of parliament, numerous government officials, and prominent businessmen have been imprisoned on corruption and fraud offences.
The commissions publicly criticise officials and agencies who have acted improperly; media outlets in Australia have a constitutionally protected freedom to expose corruption and wrongdoing in politics and government.
Needless to say, the last International Anti-Corruption Day, on December 9th, passed unnoticed in Ireland. – Yours, etc,
Dr JOHN DOHERTY,
Gaoth Dobhair,
Co Dhún na nGall.