DAVID ALVEY,
Sir - As the general election approaches, the political parties should be asked to reconsider the current system of tribunals. In particular they should be asked to investigate the excellent idea put forward by David Smith in his letter of April 16th.
He suggests the time is right to begin a move towards Continental-style, inquisitorial courts which he sees as having two main advantages: the role of lawyers would be curtailed; and examining magistrates of the ordinary courts would be empowered to investigate corruption, thereby obviating the need for tribunals.
Following the Supreme Court Judgement in the Abbeylara case politicians from all parties have supported the idea that committees of the Oireachtas should be able to conduct inquiries into matters of public concern without judicial intervention. Yet even these admittedly valuable inquiries incur large legal bills which must be paid out of the public purse.
Is it too much to ask that political attention be paid to the legal system itself? After a decade of tribunals and with no end in sight, a cheaper and more effective system of judicial inquiry would attract electoral support. David Smith's proposal deserves a full airing. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID ALVEY, Corrig Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin.