Speed is of the essence in any inquiry into the awarding of public relations contracts worth hundreds of thousands of euro to a political supporter of the Minister for Transport, Mr Cullen.
The issue has been a source of public gossip for weeks. And, as the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, acknowledged in the Dáil during the week, the controversy will not go away. Because of that - and in order to minimise any damage that might be caused to the democratic system - the sooner it is properly investigated and resolved, the better.
Mr Cullen has welcomed an opportunity to deal with the contracts awarded to Waterford-based PR consultant, Ms Monica Leech, during his time as minister of state and as a Cabinet member. Any comprehensive investigation, he believes, will put an end to the matter. It is not a view that is widely held on the Opposition benches. There are suggestions of political patronage in the awarding of advertising and public relations contracts by Government and State agencies. And trade bodies have called for the establishment of new rules. A decision by the Standards in Public Office Commission to hold a preliminary investigation into the matter has placed the Minister under further pressure. The commission applies the ethical standards under which members of the Government operate.
In spite of the initiative taken by the commission, the Labour Party leader, Mr Rabbitte, yesterday urged the Taoiseach to appoint a senior, retired civil servant to examine whether rules had been broken or normal procedures ignored in awarding the public relations contracts. Such an approach has much to recommend it. The person involved would be familiar with civil service procedures, would have access at the highest level, and could be expected to report in a fast and efficient manner. The request was rejected. In the circumstances, Mr Ahern could not have acted otherwise because the commission was specifically established by his Government to deal with such matters.
The Commission has already directed the chairman of the Office of Public Works and the secretary general of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to produce all relevant papers in relation to the contracts. But its preliminary examination could take months because the majority of its members have other, full time, occupations. Based on that evaluation, the commission will decide whether to conduct a formal investigation.
Due process is vitally important in such matters. But speed and efficiency also serve the public interest.