Sir, – It is with continued bewilderment I read of Enda Kenny and Fine Gael proposing a further referendum to give politicians more power to conduct formal inquiries into the banking crisis (Front page, June 26th). I believe very few people want an Oireachtas committee to conduct an inquiry into the banking crisis, let alone one with additional powers!
Similar to the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority regulating the banks, the role of the opposition in a democracy is to question and scrutinise the work of government, effectively regulating it.
The banking crisis was facilitated by Government. In opposition, Fine Gael and Labour were at best complacent and at worst complicit in the creation of the banking crisis. I would happily see Fianna Fáil crushed, indeed I have little time for any political party given the nonsense of the past number of years, but I want the truth and a government-led inquiry is not going to provide the truth.
The thought of Fine Gael and Labour running this, protecting themselves and the senior civil servants that now work with them and then timing the PR to suit the next election is almost as infuriating as listening to those Anglo tapes. – Yours, etc,
DAVE HUNTER,
Chelmsford Road,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – The apparent German indignation on hearing the Anglo tapes is truly hard to fathom if not contrived (Derek Scally, Breaking News, June 26th).
Yet it was Anglo’s apparent strategy to mislead the Central Bank that ultimately resulted in the socialisation of private German debt in Ireland. As John Bowe noted of the Irish Central Bank, “If they saw the enormity of it upfront they might decide they have a choice”. That choice would have saved the Irish taxpayer, and burned German bondholders, in equal measure. The latter are no doubt laughing at us since: we just don’t have the tapes to prove it . . . yet. – Yours, etc,
KEVIN BARRINS,
Newbridge Avenue,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.
A chara, – I see where Micheál Martin, leader of Fianna Fáil, is calling for a tribunal of inquiry into the banking fiasco (Home News, June 26th).
Is this the same Micheál Martin, senior member of the Fianna Fáil cabinet that decided on the bank guarantee at their incorporeal meeting on the infamous night of September 29th, 2008?
Perhaps Mr Martin could kickstart his fast-tracked tribunal by first giving us his own detailed account of what happened around that time. I for one can’t wait for the tribunal’s 2,000-plus page report in say (let’s be optimistic) 10 years’ time. – Is mise,
JOHN GLENNON,
Bannagroe,
Hollywood,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – Regarding the taped gallows “humour” of the Anglo executives — is anyone else tired of the sanctimonious preaching to the converted that these tapes have provoked in the media and political circles?
Why are we surprised at bankers’ behaviour? Why does it confer such authority on the angry and the irate? Hating bankers does not make you insightful or radical. Condemning their actions does not make you some kind of enlightened oracle.
My recommendation would be to give these men due process as is their right. We should give it to them very firmly – and at that point, for the sake of the nation’s mental health we should move on. – Yours, etc,
JOHN McNAMARA ,
Sunday’s Well Avenue,
Cork.
Sir, – The Irish are renowned worldwide for their great sense of humour, but, I fear, due to the actions of developers, politicians and bankers, we will now be recognised for our great sense of hubris. – Yours, etc,
CONAN DOYLE,
Pococke Lower,
Kilkenny.
Sir, – I thought your readers might like to be saved from having to do their own research. The offence of treason is still on our statute books. Conviction for treason used to carry a mandatory death sentence. It now carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment (not less than 40 years). – Yours, etc,
KEVIN NAGLE,
Douglas Road, Cork.
Sir, – After Tuesday’s Dáil performance, is it now time to refer to Enda Kenny as an old-fashioned, Fine Gael tribalist? – Yours, etc,
JAKE WALSH,
Walshestowen,
Clogherhead, Co Louth.
A chara, – “Is it too much to ask that just once, just once [that’s twice!] finally, some real and tangible action might take place if for no other reason than to take the place of the missing bread and circuses?” No matter how many times your letter-writer (Noel Leahy, June 26th) asks, the answer to the question is a resounding Yes. It is too much to ask and furthermore, too much to expect anything. The bread has been eaten and the circus has left town. We can expect another one, it seems, soon enough! – Yours, etc,
RAY BARROR,
Broughills,
Hollywood, Co Wicklow.
Sir, – It is important for those in power to remember that their authority is given to them by us. They have legal powers because we expect and demand they use them to do what we cannot. This applies not just to those inhabiting the Dáil, but also the staff of the DPP, the financial regulatory bodies and the Garda Síochána.
The time for inaction is over. The DPP and Government should stop trying to mount overly complex financial cases and move straight to criminal charges. The more Government officials and TDs delay applying the nation’s laws, they less of our authority they enjoy.
As stated in Article 6 of the Irish Constitution, all powers of government and the judiciary derive from the people, for the common good. There is nothing common or good about further delays to dealing with criminality.
Charge the lawbreakers and take them to court. – Yours, etc,
JAMES HYDE,
Bancroft Road,
Tallaght, Dublin 24.