Charlie and Joe should be made to answer to a steward’s inquiry

WHEN it comes to political influence, the honest-to-god Irish taxpayer is simply not at the races.

The stroke pulled by Charlie McCreevy and Joe Walsh in relation to the Punchestown project would warrant a steward's inquiry, if not a full-blown investigation by the Turf Club, but then that organisation obviously has higher standards than those of our cabinet.

The arrogance displayed by the ministers for finance and agriculture in presenting almost €15 million to Punchestown racecourse defies even the level of arrogance we have become used to from this so-called government.