Madam, - The leaking of details of Mr Ahern's tax affairs is disgraceful, and the costs of the various tribunals are shocking. However, I am finding it very difficult to feel any sympathy for Mr Ahern, or any respect.
We know that he dragged his feet in providing information requested by the Mahon tribunal, while claiming to be keen as mustard to step into the witness box and explain himself, and that he attempted to limit the tribunal's scope. He himself must bear some responsibility for the fact that we are all having to pay so much for these investigations which, as Mr Ahern used to remind us quite often, were set up "by us, the Oireachtas".
I do not know whether Mr Ahern regards straightforward and direct speech as simply bad policy, or whether there are other issues at play. He is certainly suffering serious political damage, but if he wishes to locate the source of that damage, he need only look in the mirror. - Yours, etc,
MAEVE KENNEDY, Rathgar Avenue, Dublin 6.
Madam, - Last September the Mahon tribunal revealed a serious case of anoraksia nervosa. It has all the classic symptoms of memory loss, incoherence and confusion.
We have seen a succession of other victims, not all of whom share the same degree of infection. The prevalence of the condition appears to be increasing rapidly. Is it not time to develop a vaccine to immunise those who are most susceptible? - Yours, etc,
CHARLOTTE FEELEY, Muine Bheag, Co Carlow.
Madam, - It is maddening to read supporters of Mr Ahern raising red herrings and failing to address the real problem: his acceptance of large sums of money from third parties while minister for finance. Had Mr Ahern answered the tribunal's questions when they were asked in private some years ago he would not have had to appear in public at all.
So it is his choice that he has had to appear at the tribunal; and the multiplicity of his explanations has ensured that the speculation about these payments will continue in spite of the smokescreens sent up by apologists. - Yours, etc,
BRIAN O'SULLIVAN, Sutton Park, Dublin 13.