Sir, The Dunnes Payment Tribunal has already unearthed some fascinating information and I am sure that more will follow. Of particular interest to this observer is the evidence submitted by the Minister for Transport, Alan Dukes, on Monday, April 28th.
The Minister gave evidence that, as Party Leader, he and his wife had dined with Ben Dunne for three hours and that most of the discussion was about Fine Gael party policy. Towards the end of the evening Mr Dunne gave £30,000 to Mr Dukes with two similar payments to follow in subsequent years. Amazingly, the figure of £30,000 had been suggested by Mr Dukes. The Minister did however go on to assure the tribunal that the humble voter has better access to him than most businessmen. Most perhaps, but not Mr Dunne it seems.
On January 22nd three thousand humble voters marched on Leinster House seeking access to Mr Dukes in his role as Minister for Transport. They were all CIE workers whose earnings and working conditions were, and still are, under sustained attack. This sustained attack was initiated by political appointees to the board of CIE. I need hardly add that the appointments had been made by a Fine Gael Minister who is also playing a starring role in the Dunnes Payment Tribunal, Mr Michael Lowry. The appointments were upheld by Minister Dukes when he took over the reins in the Department of Transport following Mr Lowry's spectacular fall from grace. Minister Dukes steadfastly refused to meet a delegation of workers from this group, as he had previously refused to meet their official trade union representatives.
May I respectfully suggest that any similar groups seeking access to Minister Dukes should, in light of his own evidence to the tribunal, bring £30,000 with them for Fine Gael party funds. Such a "donation" should greatly assist in securing the Minister's undivided attention.
It is little consolation to CIE workers that as they continue to fret about their ability to pay a mortgage, educate their children and maintain a modest standard of living Fine Gael party coffers are now in a healthy state once more. This notwithstanding, I remain unconvinced that the manner in which Mr Dukes and others prioritise their time and energies will be to their long term benefit. The next few months will tell a tale on several fronts. - Yours, etc.,
Locomotive driver,
Baylough,
Athlone,
Co Roscommon.