BARRY TOOMEY,
Madam, - Kevin Myers's reminder of the power and avarice of the legal profession (An Irishman's Diary, October 24th) was timely and I am surprised it has evoked so little comment - either consenting or dissenting - among your readers. Perhaps the fear of litigation has silenced even those brave souls!
Lest we forget, at a time when various tribunals were transferring vast sums from the public purse to lawyers' pockets, the inquiry by the Public Accounts Committee into the widespread evasion of DIRT not only concluded its business with exemplary dispatch, but resulted in a transfer of funds to the Exchequer well in excess of the costs of holding the inquiry.
However, the Dáil's attempt to set up a similar inquiry into the fatal shooting at Abbeylara was frustrated when gardaí appealed to the High Court. This anti-democratic decision cannot be allowed to stand. Whatever legislative or constitutional change is required to overturn it would surely have widespread support.
The Progressive Democrats have an honourable record of tackling the vested interests that others have preferred to tolerate: witness Ms Harney's defiance of the coal merchants and Mr Molloy's of the taxi owners. In attempting to tackle the high cost of insurance Ms Harney is taking on the most powerful vested interest group in the State.
I have no doubt she has the stomach for it, but she will need help. The only question is: will her colleague, Mr McDowell, have the courage to the bite the hand that until recently fed him so sumptuously? - Yours, etc.,
BARRY TOOMEY, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
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Madam, - Why no howls of outrage at the recent news of massive income rises granted to millionaire lawyers on board tribunal gravy trains?
I have been scanning your correspondence columns daily for caustic comments from enraged citizens. I can only assume that this obscenity was lost in the welter of the other wretched obscenities unfolding daily in your columns - or are your readers so in awe of the legal profession that they think it wiser not to criticise? Surely not.
What justifies increases of up to nearly 50 per cent for senior counsel and over 70 per cent for juniors? Daily earnings of up to €2,500 and €2,000 respectively can only be described as obscene and outrageous, especially when savage spending cuts are affecting vital services such as education, health and housing.
Has our sense of proportion gone with our Celtic Tiger? - Yours, etc.,
L.G. KILGALLEN, Crosthwaite Park South, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
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A chara, - I wish to commend Kevin Myers for opening our eyes to the Bar and to the modest sums paid to the lawyers for their honest efforts to clean up the country.
No doubt the reason for these extended tribunals is in no way connected with monetary gain but rather that they may arrive at the very essence of truth and justice. - Is mise,
E. RYAN, Dúrlas Éile, Co Tiobrad Árainn.