Sir, – The reaction of the members of the Technical Group to Mick Wallace’s revelation about the falsification of VAT returns is hypocritical to say the least. Members of this group have been the most vocal in the calls for the cleaning up of politics in Ireland, but when one of their own is found wanting, they quickly revert to type and fudge the issue of Mr Wallace’s future.
Their reversion to the old Sinn Féin tactic on “no condemnation” has more to do with self-preservation or, perhaps more accurately, the preservation of their speaking and funding rights within the Oireachtas.
I welcome the call by the Ceann Comhairle for an investigation by the Committee on Members’ Interests, but unless such an inquiry is carried out rapidly and openly, then the credibility of politics and politicians in Ireland will have suffered another blow.
I also find it incredible that a TD, the sole director of a company that owes a debt to the Revenue that, by his own admission, is very unlikely to be paid, can afford to travel to the Uefa championships while the Dáil is in session.
Salt is being rubbed into our wounds. – Yours, etc,