Moriarty resumes - History, not justice

THE Moriarty Tribunal resumes public hearings today, 13 years after it was established.

It cannot be described as an effective and speedy path to the truth. It has become an almost irrelevant process, more to do with history than justice. This may suit some interests but it does not serve justice.

The lack of accountability is a cancer eating away at the idea of social cohesion. This has been seen at its very worst over the last two years as the state seems powerless to pursue those who destroyed our economy.

Cost and delay mean the tribunal model will not be easily used again. The Oireachtas public accounts committee does not have real teeth and, especially in the case of white collar crime, the gardaí do not seem capable of concluding investigations in a time frame that satisfies the needs of social justice.

When the storm has passed, we must establish an authority with the power and resources needed to satisfy this basic function of democracy.