Political accountability

Sir, - Perhaps I am naive, but I had to laugh when I heard that Denis Foley TD was rewarded with two weeks' paid leave for neglecting…

Sir, - Perhaps I am naive, but I had to laugh when I heard that Denis Foley TD was rewarded with two weeks' paid leave for neglecting to mention the fact that he had an offshore account when voting to set up the tribunal which investigates offshore accounts. But then I have just returned to Ireland after 12 years in London and had forgotten just how seriously Irish politicians take themselves.

Just so your readers are aware of the contrasting styles of accountability, Teresa Gorman, Tory MP for Billericay, was suspended without pay for 30 days when she failed to register the fact that her husband derived income from two houses which he let. Perhaps one of our more cunning TDs could commit a really serious breach of the rules and get himself suspended on full pay for a year or more? Now that would be a stroke worthy of a truly great politician. - Yours, etc.,

Dermot McDonnell, Rathbawn Drive, Castlebar, Co Mayo.