Deputy Wallace - Impartiality of our laws undermined

Every now and then an event, an issue, a business collapse or an episode of wrongdoing comes to light that challenges the very notion that this is a society where the rule of law represents justice, that social cohesion and responsibility mean something beyond being hollow ballast for politicians’ hired speech writers.

Often, these events drive a coach and four, or as is more likely today a top-of-the-range four-by-four, through the celebrated but now obviously bankrupt principle — that we are all equal in the eyes of the law. Tragically, for the idea of a Republic, the idea of a united and inclusive society facing terrible challenges with solidarity and fairness, we are at that demeaning, destabilising point again.

The scandal surrounding Deputy Mick Wallace’s tax cheating has become one of those outrages. We have had far too many already and this one — back in the spotlight because outgoing Director of Corporate Enforcement Paul Appleby has said he will not investigate M&J Wallace “at this time” — offers a readymade defence for others who ignore our laws. Mr Appleby’s successor may yet, hopefully, take a different position. Mr Appleby has offered that this is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and because a settlement has been reached between Mr Wallace and the Revenue he is unlikely to face a prosecution for lying about Vat returns he pocketed. How can this be? Mr Wallace has admitted there is no prospect of him fulfilling the terms of the Revenue agreement so are we to be satisfied with a settlement that settles nothing?