Sir, - I am interested to note Mr Bertie Ahern's intention, as articulated in your edition of December 4th, to "lay down a fair and honest basis for the conduct of public life". However, would he also please face up to the reality that it is not the "recent revelations [that] have deeply disturbed people's faith in the political system", but rather the failure over years of politicians and political leaders such as himself to take decisive action to address the corruption that was apparent even to the dogs in the street. - Yours, etc.,
Noel H. McDonagh, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14.