Sir, – I would respectfully suggest to the Taoiseach that he look back to the notes of the speech he made at Béal na Bláth two years ago where he said the following: “But this time, and crucially, it means excellence in all our endeavours, in our values, our aspirations, our spirit. That pursuit of excellence involves honesty, respect, ethics, passion, compassion, leadership, responsibility. The very qualities we will need to re-evaluate, rehabilitate, and re-establish at the heart of our government, our economy, and our society.”
Where are these qualities now? – Yours, etc,
VICTOR EDMONDS,
Greystones,
Co Wicklow.
A chara, – The Taoiseach’s desire to take responsibility for, and bring integrity to, the process of public board appointments will be credible when he passes legislation establishing an independent appointments commission for the purpose. Anything less will be a cloak to conceal continued political meddling. – Is mise,
JOHN CRONIN,
Terenure, Dublin 6W.
Sir, – Am I the only one who is surprised that the Minister of State for the Environment Paudie Coffey had the authority to appoint any driver, never mind two? – Yours, etc,
MARGARET TREANOR,
Sutton, Dublin 13.
Sir, – Paudie Coffey, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, is quoted in your newspaper as saying, in respect of knowingly hiring a director of Irish Water as his driver, that he did not “understand that there was any conflict of interest”. What hope is there for the upholding of standards in public office when a Minister can make such a statement? – Yours, etc,
T GERARD BENNETT,
Bunbrosna,
Co Westmeath.
Sir, – It would seem that Seanad Éireann is fast becoming Enda Kenny’s Waterloo. Almost a year ago after losing the referendum to abolish the upper house, a personally disappointed Taoiseach said: “Sometimes in politics you get a wallop in the electoral process.” This time he wallops himself trying to elect one of his own to the country’s upper chamber. Is it not time that the Taoiseach admits defeat in trying to control the Seanad and sticks instead to what he knows best? – Yours, etc,
TOM McELLIGOTT,
Listowel,
Co Kerry.
Sir, – I wish to apply for the vacant position on the board of Irish Water. As I am very familiar with the company’s product, having used it since I was baptised, I believe I can justify the €15,000 salary. As a Waterford resident and a driver, what more qualifications are required? – Yours, etc,
MP NORRIS,
Dungarvan,
Co Waterford.
Sir, – Adding two extra people to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art to accommodate the Taoiseach’s wishes is nothing new. Two extra people were added to the banking inquiry to accommodate his wishes also. – Yours, etc,
HENRY GAYNOR,
Tralee, Co Kerry.
Sir, – If we are really going back to stroke politics then we might as well vote for Fianna Fáil, because, let’s be honest, at least they do it properly. – Yours, etc,
DAVE ROBBIE,
Booterstown, Co Dublin.
A chara, – Kathy Sheridan ("Taoiseach's contempt for the Seanad clear since he tried to abolish it a year ago", Opinion & Analysis, October 1st) suggests the Fiscal Advisory Council might be a template of what the Seanad could be. The council's five members are appointed by the Minister for Finance. Surely ministerial appointments without oversight are the source of the problem rather than the solution? – Is mise,
PAUL J SAMMON,
London N5.
Sir, – The Taoiseach has “taken responsibility for this having evolved to what people might imagine it is”. Is it just the Indian summer forking the tongues or do I feel a boomier boom in the air? – Yours, etc,
DAMIEN FLINTER,
Headford,
Co Galway.