Sir, – The Fennelly report has confirmed a serious problem that exists within our democratic process – matters of grave importance are being decided at the very highest echelons within the State without any official record of the discussions that led to them. This allows the participants in these discussions to give widely varying accounts of what actually happened and what was said.
This, in my opinion, is because none of the participants wish to have their actions and words scrutinised by the Irish people as a result of subsequent freedom of information requests from media or academic sources. There was a time when we had leaders who would stand over their words and deeds, but this is what “openness”, “accountability” and “transparency” have come to mean. It is not good enough. – Yours, etc,
LIAM STENSON,
Knocknacarra,
Galway.