Sir, – Those who have done no wrong have nothing to fear from the courts, so if the Dáil’s Committee on Procedure and Privileges has acted within the Constitution, it has nothing to fear. The courts are there to protect the rights of all Irish citizens, from those who avoid tax by being poor to those who avoid tax by not living in Ireland. – Yours, etc,
DAVID DOYLE,
Dublin 14.
Sir, –I have no knowledge of Denis O’Brien, but, as far as I know he is a citizen of Ireland and as such he deserves the protection of the Constitution of Ireland, irrespective of gender, race or indeed personal wealth. The main purpose of a constitution is to provide a level of protection and constraint against governments exceeding their remit.
I have read copious articles from the Government and the media citing high levels of indignation should any of “their” rights be curtailed or infringed, and that the sky will fall in if they are.
Where was all this indignation and investigative reporting when we needed it, from 2000 to 2008? Well it was sadly absent and the sky came close to falling in.
The recent utterances by TDs and the media lead me to believe that some feel they live “above the law”. The last decade would have me believe they are neither entitled to, nor have they earned that right.
I may not agree with Denis O’Brien, but I would defend his right to his opinions and due process; anything else would fly in the face of what we call democracy. – Yours, etc,
LIONEL BARKER,
Dublin 4.