Madam, - This morning I am ashamed to be Irish in light of the payments scandal - ashamed that our process of politics will not recognise wrongdoing and that the Taoiseach won't resign in an honourable fashion.
His Ministers Martin, Hanafin, Cowen and Ahern behaved like flunkies and pathetic spinners. Please note I hold no allegiance to any political party. - Yours, etc,
PATRICK O'CONNOR, Cherry Court, Boreenmanna Road, Cork.
Madam, - Would I be not incorrect in thinking I am not right to assume that Fianna Fáil Ministers are unable to distinguish right from wrong? - Yours, etc,
PATRICK BURKE, Clontarf Road, Dublin 3.
Madam, - May I take this opportunity to let Bertie Ahern know that I am by no means "bewildered" by the payments controversy. I may be angry, annoyed and disgusted at the gall of the man, but I am not bewildered, nor indeed am I surprised. - Yours, etc,
CLAIRE REILLY, Stranorlar, Co Donegal.
A Chara, - The Opposition's claim that Cabinet support for the Taoiseach is some form of capitulation to low ethical standards is an appalling characterisation which only serves to damage the profession of politics far more than any transgression on Bertie Ahern's part.
Its fuelling of the utterly false perception that the Taoiseach was involved in the corrupt receipt of large sums of money from big business, in contradiction of the widely-held belief in his decency and honesty, has simply led to a despairing conviction, among young people in particular, that "they are all at it," and a plague on all their houses.
For Enda Kenny, whose party when last in government cleared a massive debt in record time through huge donations from big business, while at the same time dodging tax by paying headquarters staff in cash, or Pat Rabbitte, who once actually accepted a donation before deciding to give it back, to engage in the didactic hectoring of people of the impeccable calibre - both political and ethical - of Brian Cowen, Brian Lenihan and Michael McDowell, suggests that they have lost all sense of perspective. They are far more concerned with getting Bertie Ahern off the pitch before the next election than with any realistic or fair assessment of an honest misjudgment in difficult circumstances over 13 years ago by a man who is not only our head of government, but also, it seems, a regular person with human failings like the rest of us. - Is mise,
DAVID CARROLL, Castle Gate, Dublin 2.
Madam, - Mr Ahern's less than sincere apology left so many questions unanswered. In particular, he apparently saved a large sum of money, perhaps in a shoe box, or perhaps under the bed, that conveniently became available and was deposited in a bank account soon after the separation agreement with his spouse was concluded. Was his wife, and the family court, made aware that the Minister of Finance had enough ready cash to buy a house?
A further point remains unanswered: how did a hard-up, debt-ridden public representative finance his frequent trips to Manchester? Who paid for the flights, the hotel and the match tickets? I look forward with interest to continuing revelations. - Yours, etc,
GORDON DAVIES, Briar Wood, Bray, Co Wicklow.
Madam, - In recent letters on these pages, The Irish Times has been attacked for simply reporting the fact that yet another Fianna Fáil Taoiseach took "loans" and "donations" from businessmen to subsidise his personal lifestyle.
This reminds me of the time Annie Murphy appeared on the Late Late Show, to talk about her relationship with an Irish Bishop. Instead of being repelled by the poor treatment of this woman and her son, and by the hypocrisy of the bishop, the audience appeared more upset by her questioning a revered religious leader.
Hindsight showed how wrong they were.
I hope that at the next election the Irish electorate will remember the payments to Bertie Ahern and reject the deep-rooted corruption that appears to be ingrained within Fianna Fáil. - Yours, etc,
MARTIN DONNELLY, Deptford, London.
Madam, - Isn't it sad that Fine Gael and Labour, Ireland's so-called "main Opposition parties" want to devote more and more time in Dáil Éireann to talk about the Taoiseach rather than concentrate on the issues that matter most to the citizens of Ireland - improving healthcare, providing more affordable childcare places, increasing transportation services or protecting our environment? - Yours, etc,
Cllr CORMAC DEVLIN (FF), Glenageary Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
Madam, - The PDs the Government watchdogs? I think not. After Tuesday's performance, it seems Michael is more like McDoodle the Poodle. - Yours, etc,
B HEALY, Mount Albany, Blackrock, Co Dublin.