Madam, - Carl O'Brien's report in your edition of August 18th suggests that the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, is intent on prising the "greasy till" of corporate donations to political parties further open. If he gets away with it, it would be a big step backwards.
Mr Cullen says that as long as these donations are open and transparent, we should have no objection. Will politicians and business people be equally open and transparent in disclosing the favours bought? Never.
This is the second time in as many weeks that Mr Cullen has put forth views that are at odds with the public interest on an important issue.
I don't know what Mr Ahern had to say to him about his remarks on the proposed smoking ban in pubs, but on the matter of uncapping corporation donations to political parties, Mr Ahern should take him aside and tell him that the public will always take the view that there is no smoke without fire. - Yours etc.,
JOHN HUMPHREYS, Thornfield, Monaleen, Limerick.