Sir, - Ireland's politicians have come up with a solution to the funding of political parties that is staggering in its effrontery. The proposal, as I understand it, is that if we pay them they will have no need for corrupt payments in future. God forbid that we should fall for this political protection racket.
There is a much simpler solution which will not cost the taxpayer a penny. Set up a central political funding agency through which all political donations must be channelled. Treat any payment not made through the agency as a bribe attracting a substantial prison sentence for both the donor and recipient. The running costs of the agency can be shared by all political parties. And the agency can publish a full list of political donations annually.
With all-party agreement this could be implemented quickly. And it would start to repair the enormous damage politicians have done to their own reputations. On the other hand, if politicians have their way, they will simply deepen the cynicism of the electorate. - Yours, etc.,
Augustine Muligan, Castleknock, Dublin 15.