Sir, - It is right that the media should investigate the goings-on of Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy and Tanaiste Mary Harney, two members of the Cabinet who, during the summer, enjoyed Mr Ulick McEvaddy's hospitality in his south-of-France villa. Despite Mr McEvaddy's plans to construct a rail link from Dublin Airport to the city, something which has still to be decided by the Cabinet, we are being asked to believe there is no conflict of interest.
Mr McCreevy's bluster has become tiresome, offensive, and unconvincing. He says that he will never succumb to the "political correctness" of accepting that journalists have the right to inquire into his private life. This is, of course, a non-issue. What have the media divulged about his private life anyway? To report that he took his holidays, with the Tanaiste Mary Harney and others at the McEvaddy villa, is hardly an invasion of privacy.
How can Mr McCreevy and Ms Harney deny that they breached any ethical guidelines when, according to the guidelines on the conduct of ministers, "hospitality should not be accepted where it would, or might appear to, place him or her under an obligation"? Do they think they are exempt? - Yours, etc.,
Myles Crowe, Clonakilty, West Cork.