Madam, - The Taoiseach's legal action against the Mahon tribunal highlights a grave weakness in our parliament. Dáil procedures allow opposition parties very limited scope to tease out statements made by ministers. The capacity of the opposition to question the Taoiseach has been further reduced by rules which allow him to confine himself to one or two appearances in the Dáil chamber each week during those very short periods when the Dáil is actually in session.
Mr Ahern has exploited this weakness in a very cynical way to make a series of vague contradictory statements aimed at presenting a picture of total co-operation with the tribunal and casting himself as the victim of a relentless personalised campaign to undermine him.
Apparently the Mahon tribunal feel that the account that Mr Ahern gave to the Dáil of his dealings with them is at variance with the facts as they see them.
He is now unwilling to give the tribunal the opportunity of clarifying the position. Far from mounting a principled defence of Dáil privilege he has shown contempt for the Dáil chamber by telling a story there that he is unwilling to submit to the tribunal for more detailed scrutiny.
It is perhaps a matter of even greater concern that to the last woman and man, the Government members of the Oireachtas are prepared to accept this very low standard of accountability. With defenders like these our parliamentary democracy does not need enemies.
- Yours, etc,
JOE AHERN, Hermitage Close, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.
Madam, - I am no lawyer but it strikes me that our Taoiseach is being poorly advised. If the matter of parliamentary privilege is so clear-cut could he not have attended the tribunal and claimed privilege when asked about statements in the Dáil. It would then be up to the tribunal to go to the High Court to try and compel the Taoiseach to answer. Politically, this would have to be a better strategy.
The Taoiseach does not need to go to the High Court. It is the tribunal that is forced to instigate proceedings if it feels it has grounds for compelling an answer.
It strikes me that the only reason for going to the High Court first is to prevent the question even being asked.
- Yours, etc,
NOEL PEARE, Ballynoe Drive, Cobh, Co Cork.
Madam, - April 1st for Bertie's High Court hearing - a wicked sense of humour!
- Yours, etc,
NIALL GINTY, The Demesne, Killester, Dublin 5.