How to tell a clean from a corrupt state

AS always there’s a great deal of anger, comment and analysis surrounding the latest episode of the Fás farce.

But we’ve seen it all many times before. A scandal erupts involving serious allegations of fraud and corruption.

In an accountable jurisdiction police investigate, bring charges, people go to jail — end of story. In a corrupt state, the corrupt system moves to protect itself.

Set up an endless tribunal, hand the matter over to a powerless committee of politicians, sidetrack it to a safe house like the Office of Corporate Enforcement or simply pay off those who have been caught and are threatening to spill the beans. In a corrupt state,denial and pretence are the only options until somebody has the courage to tell the truth — and then act.

Anthony Sheridan

Carraig Eoin

Cobh

Co Cork