Madam, - Your latest Editorial in a long succession of increasingly partisan ramblings today (May 14th) informs your readers that there is an elephant in the room which isn't the recent newborn in Dublin Zoo. Now that the Taoiseach has, following a series of selective and prejudicial Mahon tribunal leaks published in your newspaper, provided a detailed explanation of the circumstances surrounding his personal finances, one wonders indeed what or who this elephant might be.
Having studied the statement issued by the Taoiseach on Sunday, I came to the only conclusion that I believe most sensible people could possibly come to, which is that, although the series of financial transactions surrounding Mr Ahern's house purchase was unorthodox, the explanations given are understandable and entirely plausible. It seems obvious and entirely rational to me that the primary motivation for Mr Ahern's rent-to-buy strategy was based on a number of factors including his then-recent marital separation, the uncertainty of his future income given the political instability at that time, and the need to ensure he didn't have the stigma associated with having a "no fixed abode" tag applied to a taoiseach-elect.
No evidence of financial impropriety has been uncovered, despite the very best efforts and premature conclusions of the media.
Now that we finally have all of the facts, your readers are in a position to make their own judgments as to whether the Taoiseach acted properly in relation to his personal finances. Your readers would have, in any case, been given this opportunity within the next few weeks when the Mahon tribunal's public hearings take place.
However, The Irish Times, followed by other sections of the media, took it upon themselves to circumvent this process "in the public interest", despite written warnings from the chairman of the Mahon tribunal, and despite a pending contempt of court hearing against you, Madam Editor, relating to previous unauthorised publication of material relating to this case.
The content and tone of The Irish Timescoverage of this entire affair, going back to its first leak in October 2006, has now been shown to have been unbalanced, one-sided and possibly illegal. Had The Irish Timessimply published all of the information that it had in its possession, then one could possibly argue that publication was indeed in the public interest.
However, the nature of the leaks, including the fact that some of the information available was deliberately kept from the public by The Irish Timesand other national media, raises serious questions about your and other national media's role in this affair.
The Irish Timespromises its readers that its reports are "honest, accurate and comprehensive, and analysis that is informed, fair and based on the facts". Your readers have, now, for the first time, following publication of the Mahon tribunal interview transcript and the Taoiseach's statement, the opportunity of reviewing these facts without your editorial interference or control, and deciding for themselves who lived up to the standards set for them and who did not.
Given all the circumstances, Madam Editor, could it be that the elephant in the room is, in fact, you. - Yours, etc,
LIAM YOUNG, Clonskeagh Road, Dublin 6.
Madam, - Shane Hegarty reports (May 12th) Mary Harney's speech to the INO being "greeted by the sound of one hand clapping". This election campaign really is bringing out Ireland's most talented! - Yours, etc,
TOMMY CANAVAN, Castlebar, Co Mayo.
Madam, - All the political parties have promised tax cuts and improved public services over the next five years based on economic growth of around 4 per cent per annum.
But will this happen? We heard similar promises five years ago but it wasn't long before stringent cutbacks were being made to public spending.
This time, however, the economy faces a much bigger challenge. We now have 5 per cent inflation, the highest within the euro zone, increasing loss of competitiveness and a growing balance of payments deficit, which, according to the ESRI, is part of the growing imbalances in our economy.
We have higher interest rates, lower property prices and lower housing construction. Certainly 100 per cent mortgages and a 50 per cent rise in personal borrowings over the last two years are causes for concern. Negative equity looms.
Our future progress within the euro zone will require a reversal of the last three years when our productivity has fallen 11 per cent compared to other euro zone members. If we don't mend our ways the strong euro, especially against the US dollar, will prove to be a straightjacket and result in jobs and growth moving elsewhere.
Despite our economic success, we still have serious problems with our health service, inadequate school and community facilities, poor public transport and overcrowded roads all due in part to a lack of proper planning for our rapidly expanding population. We are seriously in excess in our carbon emissions and are thus aggravating climate change for future generations. The country deserves better. It is time for a change. - Yours, etc,
DAVID DILLON, Blackrock, Co Dublin.