STEVE MacDONOGH,
Sir, - Corruption has flourished behind the protective shield of antiquated libel laws which are inconsistent with free speech in a democratic society.
More than 10 years ago the Law Reform Commission recommended major changes. Since then, none of the political parties that have been in power - Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour, the PDs - have done anything to remove this shield of crookedness.
No doubt all these parties will seek to persuade us that they oppose such corruption. No one should believe them until and unless they actively pursue the reform of the libel laws. The members of the Oireachtas could put reform in train tomorrow, if they chose to. - Yours, etc.,
STEVE MacDONOGH, Brandon/Mount Eagle Books, Dingle, Co Kerry.
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Sir, - As a purchaser of a Brennan McGowan house in the 1970s, I have financed the "donation" to Mr Ray Burke.
As a taxpayer, I am currently funding the cost of the Flood Tribunal.
Should any of those named as having obstructed the tribunal serve a custodial sentence for contempt of court, I will again as a taxpayer fund the cost of same.
I wonder: who exactly has won in this sorry circus? - Yours, etc.,
HELEN DEVLIN, Oakview Avenue, Clonsilla, Dublin 15.
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Sir, - I am certain that every right-minded person in the country welcomes whole-heartedly Mr Justice Flood's interim report.
As Fintan O'Toole states (Opinion, September 27th), "the real scandal is that Ray Burke was found out a long time before". Yet investigative journalists were powerless to name him and libel laws made a mockery of any attempt to state the absolute truth, though it had already been uncovered.
In my cynicism, I cannot believe that the smug smiles of the powerful shall cease. The protection from the very top will continue, strings will be pulled, backs will be scratched and favours returned.
The public are toothless. For all our anger and letter writing, collectively we will do little. In Mr O'Toole's words, "sceptics should look at the recent results in Tipperary and Mayo and explain how neither Michael Lowry nor Beverley Cooper-Flynn has fallen from grace with the electorate". The contempt and arrogance will continue, regardless of future results from Flood.
During the most recent election I was asked by a canvasser if I would be voting for Fianna Fáil. I answered that I would not, because of the institutional corruption. His reply: "You don't know what you are talking about".
I certainly know now, Sir, and so too does everyone else. - Yours, etc.,
ALAN FINNERTY, Grace O'Malley Road, Howth, Co Dublin.
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A chara, - Since September 26th, has the word "antedeluvian" a new meaning? - Yours, etc.,
JOE KELLY, Montpelier Gardens, Dublin 7.
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Sir, - Long live Gogarty. We owe him a great debt. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN HARRINGTON, Victoria Street, Military Road, Cork.