Tribunal fees issue is just a red herring

THE issue of fees earned by those involved in the Mahon Tribunal has received much coverage in the media of late, with an underlying theme that they are the main benefactors of the whole process. This is surely a ploy to undermine the work being carried out by the tribunal, which is to investigate the monies paid to various public figures in the dark and distant past.

This process was set up by the political classes in an effort to reassure the public that nothing untoward was taking place within their clandestine domain.

For a change, democracy worked and the will of the people overcame the self-interest of their representatives who hardly wanted any prying into their ways and means of getting things done.

The public have a right to know where, and for what reason, elected representatives were receiving money outside of their legitimate salaries. That the tribunal has continued for so long, and thus cost so much, is down to those appearing before it, many of whom have attempted to impede at every stage any analysis of their acquisition and processing of monies in various currencies.

So please, let the tribunal continue its work and put its cost firmly at the door of those whose behaviour required its establishment in the first place.

Kieran Sullivan

Georgestown

Kilmacthomas

Co Waterford