Sir, – In Dáil Éireann yesterday Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald used the cover of parliamentary privilege to name a number of individuals said to be listed in an official report prepared by an official of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation dealing, inter alia, with allegations of tax evasion.
The naming of private individuals who have no opportunity to defend their good name is a privilege that should be used sparingly and only when the matter is one of the utmost seriousness and where there is no alternative means of having allegations properly investigated.
It is far from clear that the present case meets these criteria. One wonders why Ms McDonald or her leader have not felt that a similar resort to parliamentary privilege is not justified in the case of the allegations made by Máiria Cahill about sexual abuse perpetrated by senior IRA figures in Northern Ireland as well as the cover-up of these crimes by the wider republican movement.
It would appear that Sinn Féin applies a separate and tighter regime of privileged protection to the “good name” of IRA paedophiles. – Yours, etc, PADDY BARRY, Killiney, Co Dublin.
Sir, – Which is the greater wrong? That individuals have had their good names impugned by being named in the Dáil, or that allegations of tax evasion by senior politicians and members of the elite made 10 years ago had not been thoroughly investigated with the findings made public.
The reputation of the political system has been damaged. The reputation of politicians, the political system and many state agencies has been confirmed – self-serving and corrupt. – Yours, etc,
FINTAN REDDY
Castleknock,
Dublin 15. Sir, – I hold no brief for Sinn Féin. However, the naming of alleged Ansbacher account-holders by Mary Lou McDonald is to be applauded.
There is still a horrible culture of secrecy and cute hoorism in Ireland. Time to sweep away the dusty net curtains and let the sunshine in.– Yours, etc, PATRICIA R MOYNIHAN Castaheany, Co Dublin.