Can we really trust politicians with more power?

WE will be voting on two referendums on October 27.

One amendment, as it is worded, will give politicians very considerable powers to investigate individuals and make findings of fact against them in circumstances where the same politicians have the power to curtail how that individual puts his side of the story.

This boils down to a question of trust: Can we trust politicians to investigate politicians?

Can we trust politicians to protect our rights if someone has to appear in front of an Oireacthas committee where the temptation for them to look tough on television may be overwhelming?

Should we really increase politicians’ powers when we’ve seen in the last few months the powers which they already have in relation to investigations used inappropriately, ie when the Minister of the Environment, Phil Hogan, shelved the independent review into planning irregularities in six local authorities?

Róisín Lawless

Ráth Chairn

Áth Buí

Co na Mí