The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is badly out of step with public opinion on the need to deal quickly and comprehensively with allegations of corruption in public life. The sorry offer of yet another tribunal, with limited terms of reference, to investigate planning matters concerning 726 acres of land in north Co Dublin is nothing less than a whitewash. It is also a flagrant evasion of his responsibility to utilise existing resources within the Moriarty tribunal to deal specifically with allegations against his Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Burke.
Mr Ahern's explanation to the Dail that it would be "unfair" to include an examination of Mr Burke's financial affairs with those of Mr Charles Haughey and Mr Michael Lowry, because the latter gentlemen had engaged in wrongdoing, simply does not wash. Mr Justice Moriarty is entitled by his terms of reference to investigate the affairs of any politician who benefited - properly or improperly - from the Ansbacher accounts. And if from the Ansbacher accounts, why not from other sources? Why should Mr Burke's affairs be ring-fenced in this fashion when payments to politicans are being explored?
On the face of it, the Taoiseach's commitment to political transparency and to the establishment of high ethical standards in public life is now deeply suspect. Mr Ahern's determination to protect his Coalition Government and the reputation of his Minister has gone so far beyond what might be expected that the electorate is beginning to ask whether any other considerations are involved. The willingness of the Tanaiste and leader of the Progressive Democrats, Ms Harney, to accept this unhappy situation is equally troubling to her supporters. And it can only be resolved by rapid, remedial action.
The findings in today's Irish Times/MRBI opinion poll that 73 per cent of the electorate favour the investigation of a £30,000 payment to Mr Burke in 1989 by a construction company, through the Moriarty tribunal, is clear evidence of the public's rejection of the Coalition Government's proposed course of action. Even more damning is the finding that the explanation offered to the Dail by Mr Burke for these extraordinary matters has been rejected by 79 per cent of the public. Within that figure, 73 per cent of Fianna Fail supporters and 78 per cent of those from the Progressive Democrats find Mr Burke's version of events unbelievable.
This controversy should not develop into a trial by opinion poll. Mr Burke is innocent until proven otherwise, even if he has a credibility problem with the public. All the more reason then, at a time when the Minister is representing the country abroad and at negotiations within Northern Ireland, that the charges against him should be dealt with as quickly and as fairly as possible. In that regard, the original suggestion made to the Dail by Democratic Left, that the controversy be pursued through an initial, private investigation by the Moriarty tribunal, has everything to recommend it. If there is no substance to the allegations, Mr Burke will get a clean bill of health. If he is found to have misled the Dail, he should be sacked.
We have reached a watershed in this country concerning standards of business and political probity. And the Coalition Government's response to the controversy surrounding Mr Burke is only part of the reason for the public's disquiet. The Minister for Foreign Affairs may be a small fish indeed compared to the 11 citizens who held £38m in the dubious, offshore Ansbacher accounts. The Government's decision to prevent the Moriarty Tribunal from investigating the legality of those accounts is deeply troubling.