Madam, - It is important to remind your readers, before any of them congratulate this Government on its Bill to terminate tribunals, why the tribunals have taken so long to acquire their information - because of legal actions taken on behalf of politicians such as Bertie Ahern, Liam Lawlor and others to restrict access to information.
Similar behaviour by property developers and tax exiles have caused delay and contributed to the huge legal bills incurred. The lack of co-operation by all of the above has also added to tribunal costs.
The tribunals should have been unnecessary in a just and ethical society; the Dáil should have been able to deal with the issues involved. Unfortunately, corruption at all levels meant that some outside referee has been necessary. - Yours, etc,
KEITH CARGILL,
Drinagh,
Ennistymon,
Co Clare.
Madam, - It does not take a brilliantly analytical mind to see that the only beneficiaries of a Bill to shut down tribunals would be those people in public life whose every deed is worthy of the closest scrutiny. There can surely be no doubt in the minds of thinking people that this but one more example of the utter contempt in which this dreadful administration holds the electorate.
If Government members seriously believe the public will see this as attempt to save public funds perhaps they should begin by rejecting those obscene pay increases they awarded themselves so recently. That may, just may, help convince people that they are serious about protecting the public purse.
In conclusion, may I draw attention to the remark by Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan that "there is no intention to apply this legislation to the current tribunals within their envisaged timescale for completion". Do I believe him? Do I ****. - Yours, etc,
IAN KAVANAGH,
Suir Road,
Kilmainham,
Dublin 8.