Moriarty right to say democracy is devalued

MR JUSTICE MORIARTY has done a great public service in exposing the corruption and greed that was a central feature of the Irish political system.

We now know most of it involved Fianna Fáil.

It was astonishing to learn that Charles Haughey received payments equivalent to 45m in today’s terms. It is also noteworthy that no information whatsoever relating to funds received was at any stage volunteered by or on behalf of Mr Haughey.

The judge was absolutely right when he said payments received by Charles Haughey during his political career devalued the quality of a modern democracy.

And the evidence relating to the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is also astonishing. The tribunal concludes that his practice of pre-signing cheques undoubtedly facilitated the misuse of the account by Mr Haughey. The tribunal said this had to be viewed as inappropriate and imprudent.

Mr Ahern said he would never have signed the cheques if he knew they were to be used inappropriately. Any self-respecting individual could make a similar remark of such little substance.

What kind of fools does the Taoiseach take us for? One can only hope the people will send the Government the only message they will understand at the the election next year — vote it out.

Mark Wakefield

Mercier Park

Turners Cross

Cork.