Sir, – In his time as minster for justice, Alan Shatter managed to upset politicians, solicitors, lawyers and the Garda Síochána. Will we ever see such a reforming minster again? – Yours, etc,
CONAL McMENAMIN,
Skreen Road,
Dublin 7.
A chara, – The Tánaiste describes Alan Shatter’s resignation as “inevitable”. Yet the Minister had his public support, and that of the Taoiseach and the Cabinet, up to the day of his resignation. Should we take it that a few more resignations are inevitable? Or does collective responsibility only serve as cover for unpopular policy decisions and sharing the glory when things go well? – Is mise,
Rev PATRICK G BURKE,
Castlecomer,
Co Kilkenny.
A chara, – Your front-page headline on Wednesday said “Kelly and Gilmore rally behind Shatter after data ruling”. That afternoon Mr Shatter resigned.
Why is it that politicians always circle the wagons to defend the indefensible in their colleagues? Misplaced loyalty or simply a lack of moral courage to stand up for the truth? – Is mise,
SEÁN O KIERSEY,
Kill Abbey,
Deansgrange,
Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Sir, – The most exalted positions in law and justice in this country are now occupied by women. Have careers in the world of jurisprudence and law enforcement become “highly feminised” professions? Perhaps Ruairí Quinn might care to comment? – Yours, etc,
PAUL DELANEY,
Beacon Hill,
Dalkey, Co Dublin.
Sir, – The Taoiseach deserves credit for separating the portfolios of Justice and Defence in his Cabinet appointments. It was a mistake to combine these sensitive roles and during the recent series of scandals, the Taoiseach and his Cabinet colleagues no doubt encountered the inevitable practical problems it caused. It is good that this experiment is over.
The Taoiseach’s assignment of Defence to his own department temporarily while he looks to reorganise the portfolio is prudent and accomplishes the main goal of having two security ministers at Cabinet, rather than one.
If the Taoiseach continues to feel strongly that Defence does not merit a full-time minister he could look at combining the role with that of Minister for Foreign Affairs. Our Defence Forces’ peacekeeping activities dovetail with many roles of the Department of Foreign Affairs and as our Minister for Foreign Affairs is always a senior figure, it would ensure two senior people at Cabinet would have separate security briefings, and would be listened to, fostering debate and oversight on security matters. At EU level, many external action topics involve both ministries. More trivially, many ceremonial events involve both our Defence Forces and the diplomatic corps.
The occupant of Iveagh House has a lot of additional responsibilities as Tánaiste and party leader, but if, as widely expected, he moves to a domestic ministry in the reshuffle later this year then it might be an opportune time to combine the two roles of Defence and Foreign Affairs. – Yours, etc,
Dr KEVIN BYRNE,
Schoolhouse Lane,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – The Taoiseach’s decoupling of Defence from Justice and Law reform is welcome. Defence and Justice should not be together. To say the least, it is highly unusual in a democracy to have one person politically in charge of all the security forces of the State. – Yours, etc,
Col DORCHA LEE (retired),
Beaufort Place,
Navan, Co Meath.
Sir, – It was with deep regret that I heard of the resignation of Alan Shatter. I don’t think that any other minister could have stood up to the judiciary, An Garda Síochána, the Army, the prison warders, and so on. It is nauseating to hear TDs now saying they have nothing personal against him. They wanted him out and he is gone. I hope the next incumbent has half his determination to see through all the changes needed in the Department of Justice. – Yours, etc,
THOMAS J CLARKE,
Foxhill Park,
Dublin 13.