Tribunal outcome won’t change minds of voters at next election

UBIQUITOUS coverage and analysis of the Mahon Tribunal report suggests we have arrived at a watershed moment in Irish politics.

Never again will our highest public officeholders be allowed to become compromised by business interests. An end to sleazy side deals where favours are done in return for cash is supposed to ensue. Such is the disgust and nausea about corruption that we will banish the opportunity for secret backroom deals to occur.

This week’s Dáil debate confirms a determination to enact new sanctions against wrongdoers by removing pension entitlements and lowering financial political contributions to the point of irrelevancy.