Ming’s actions over driving licence points controversy are bizarre
“The four tried as best they could to highlight what seems to be a scandal, on the basis of the information available to date: the “termination” or quashing of penalty points delivered to errant motorists, apparently on the basis of who they are or the power or influence that they hold over senior members of the gardaí.”
I’d like to amend those lines now, but only in this respect: four becomes three and the name of Luke “Ming” Flanagan is removed. Flanagan has been revealed as a beneficiary of the very practice about which he complained so vocally and vigorously, going so far as to accuse the gardaí of corruption. Twice he had his own penalty points removed. He tried blaming others — a garda who “contacted” or “bumped into” him and who “insisted” that he seek to have the points removed and a council official who allegedly intervened with the gardaí to stop points being processed — instead of taking responsibility for his own actions.
Flanagan’s actions throughout this whole affair have been bizarre and raise legitimate questions as to whether prolonged use of cannabis and other drugs have addled his critical faculties. In attaching himself to the initial campaign by his colleagues late last year he should have admitted his own experiences and apologised then. It would have added weight to the campaign. Instead he lied when asked direct questions by journalists and, on Twitter, from a member of the public, who asked if he had benefited from the very practice he called corrupt. He said no, firmly.
His claim now was that he was watching for his “gotcha” moment, that he anticipated a report from Justice Minister Alan Shatter that would dismiss or downplay the extent of the problem. Most people seem to find this unbelievable, thinking this is just a far-fetched excuse for his behaviour until exposure last Sunday. I don’t find it unbelievable at all. It is not hard to believe that Flanagan anticipated the drama of such a flourish, the moment where he would expose himself to expose the corruption of the gardaí.
We are now in a bizarre situation. There seems to be some public sympathy for the unnamed garda who is going to get into trouble for doing Flanagan a favour and for the unnamed Roscommon County Council official who allegedly contacted another unnamed garda.
But we should remind ourselves as to why this is important. The politicians brought into the public domain information that suggested that as many as tens of thousands of people have benefited from having such penalty points “terminated”. The benefits are many; it prevents an increase in the price of insurance for the miscreants and reduces the chances of accumulating sufficient points to lose a driving licence for a period of time. Those who get penalty points removed have good reason to want to be rid of them.
The politicians acted after they realised that their information had been available to the Department of Justice, the Road Safety Authority and Garda Síochána for months but had not been acted upon. The information had come from two whistleblowers from within the force, who were outraged by what they apparently believed was an abuse of power. Judges, RTE personalities, a prominent crime journalist and sports stars were among those whose names have become known to the public.
Penalty points were introduced 10 years ago. It is an excellent system that forces drivers to engage in better behaviour on the roads, for fear of the consequences.
There are times when a garda might exercise common sense and discretion to strike out points. It is allowed for gardaí at superintendent rank and above to delete points if they are satisfied that the offence was committed for a good reason. But only through official channels. There should be a written request or it should be done in open court. Only in exceptional circumstances should it happen.
The report that is being prepared for Justice Minister Alan Shatter is important. While Flanagan deserves no sympathy for his stupidity, and condemnation for his hypocrisy, it should still be asked if the timing of the latest revelation has anything to do with softening up public opinion in advance of its release. Somebody got this information about Flanagan into the public domain now, just as somebody leaked the “news” of Clare Daly’s arrest for suspected drunk driving, of which she was innocent.
It is fascinating to watch how some of the public react to the four independents named above. If the Dáil is to be truly representative of all of the people then their presence should be welcomed because they must certainly do not conform to conventions, especially conservative ones. Yet, it is noticeable how offended so many people seem to be by their non-suited clothes, by Flanagan’s beard and by Wallace’s bleached unruly mop of curly hair.
I don’t in any way condone Flanagan’s penalty point antics or Wallace’s excuses for his failure to pay substantial amounts of Vat as it fell due, something for which he continues attract much criticism. Indeed I noted in my column on their penalty points campaign last December that “Wallace, for his part, is pushing his luck a bit by shouting about corruption and demanding investigations and claiming that honest gardaí are being undermined”.
BUT just think about this: If Flanagan and Wallace were dressed more according to conventional norms would they get a more favourable hearing in some (larger) quarters? (And the flipside of that: are there those who refuse to see the error of their ways, who would prefer to paint Flanagan and Wallace as some kind of victims of the establishment, vilified by a media that does the bidding of the elite?) I wish, for example, that another independent TD Michael Lowry, had received as much attention in recent weeks as Flanagan. Lowry’s actions over the best part of two decades — and the damning findings of the Moriarty tribunal — call his worthiness to hold a Dáil seat into great question. The latest revelations about his behaviour — his admission in a 2004 taped television conversation that he had withheld information about payments on a land deal that the Moriarty tribunal wanted — are extremely serious. But they are getting limited attention seemingly because they are difficult to explain and apparently because they have a connection to the country’s most powerful media owner Denis O’Brien.
And what about the apparent fear in some quarters to confront Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams? Some sections of the media seem to have given up challenging him about his denial of IRA membership and leadership. But why have so few media outlets focused on the hypocrisy of his going to the US last year to receive private medical treatment and allowing an American businessman to foot the bills of about $40,000? Imagine if any other politician complaining about our health services — and making an issue of his handing over part of his salary to his party so that he lives on a smaller wage — had done that?
* The Last Word with Matt Cooper is broadcast on 100-102 Today FM, Monday to Friday, 4.30pm to 7pm.
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