Sir, – Throughout the course of Judge Alan Mahon’s investigation, (and to a lesser extent, that of Judge Feargus Flood), vehement criticism has been directed towards the tribunal, by members and sympathisers of particular politicians, with the aim to obscure facts and, if possible, to close down the investigation altogether. Indeed these attacks are referred to in the report itself.
This is to be expected, given the complex web of vested interests and would-be tarnished reputations.
It is disappointing however, that the media continues to use the high cost of the report as a reason to ask whether or not “it has all been worthwhile”. The investigation has lasted for almost 15 years, a duration undoubtedly lengthened by the lack of co-operation by those involved. One would expect, therefore, that an undertaking of this nature would not come cheap.
Criticising the very existence of the tribunal, on the basis of its cost, depicts an utterly cynical attitude towards accountability of those individuals who hold power in this country, and indeed of the integrity of their offices. On a matter of such importance, to suggest that we are better off without the truth, paints a sad picture of our priorities.
Of course it has been worthwhile. We must assert that we as a nation are serious about the integrity of our government. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – The findings of the Mahon tribunal regarding Bertie Ahern and his mates has, after great expense to the taxpayer, confirmed what the dogs in the street have known for years.
My only consolation is that my late father who fought and was imprisoned in the War of Independence will never know what a sad little Republic he helped to create.
The British always claimed that the Irish were incapable of governing themselves: perhaps they were right. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Given the far-reaching culture of corruption in the planning process involving high government, county councillors, property developers and in one instance, the Garda Síochána, I think it reasonable to attribute responsibility to the aforementioned for the equally far-reaching and diabolical social consequences which result from a legacy of “bad planning”. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Is telling lies, under oath, to a tribunal of inquiry, an offence?
The Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) Act, 1979, which was the last amendment made to the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, prior to the setting up, in 1997, of the Mahon tribunal, states: “If a person wilfully gives evidence to a tribunal which is material to the inquiry to which the tribunal relates and which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true” then that person “shall be guilty of an offence”.
If this applies, as appears to be the case, to the Mahon tribunal, then the maximum penalty upon conviction appears to be two years in prison and a fine of €300,000. – Yours,etc,
A chara, – The sadness and frustration that the country endures as a result of the findings of the Mahon tribunal pale into insignificance compared to the international damage the country faces amid the revelations.
How can Irish leaders be taken seriously by government counterparts around the globe?
How indeed, can we argue with the IMF or bondholders for interest breaks or time to pay when the captains of our troubles have been found to be liars.
The Fianna Fáil party may vote all it likes to remove its pinocchios from the ranks, but where do the Irish people go to find justice? There was a time when corruption was met with force, I fear now that the hand of justice will once again fall silently against the culprits as a petty slap.
Mark these words, where wrongdoing goes unpunished, we only serve to promote injustice. There is far more than the exorbitant costs, including RTÉ, Fine Gael, Gogarty, etc, etc. There is our very spirit as a nation at stake here, if we do not act against these people we may as well close our doors to the world. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – A refrain from Father Ted springs to mind: That money was only resting in my account. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Surely we did not need to waste so much money on the Mahon tribunal to find out what most of us knew already? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – They took their bribes and commissions because they knew that you people in the NUJ would make sure public comment was sculptured and cleansed to broadly reflect the party line.
They knew an obedient media would make sure that the voice of the dissident would not be heard. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I would like to suggest the theme of our next tribunal. To find out how many chefs and fishermen there are in the country. Each one of these people knew years ago that Bertie Ahern would be found out by the Mahon tribunal because of the simple fact that they know that the head of the fish rots first.
To save time and money in all future tribunals, I suggest also all tribunal boards be represented by the culinary and fishing sectors.
I apologise in advance to the three members of the Mahon tribunal if any of them is either a chef or fisherman. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Re Bertie, John 11:50 comes to mind. “Better that one man perish than that the whole nation[al movement] perish”. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – The Mahon tribunal report illustrates again the dysfunctional state of this country over many years. That many of the protagonists can still maintain that nothing untoward had occurred points to the degree of denial which still exists in the deluded cabal that ran this country.
We must hope that the current and coming generation can create a more transparent and honest society. However, judging by the torturous nature of investigations into public office we have a long way to go. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I would like to congratulate Miriam Lord for her excellent comment on Micheál Martin and Fianna Fáil. She writes (March 23rd) in relation to Bertie Ahern: “He lied. I heard him. We all saw it . . . We don’t want to hear it now”. That says it all.
The day that corrupt politicians are convicted of wrongdoing, will be the day the this country can hold its head up high and be proud. I, for one, will not be holding my breath. – Yours, etc,