If you want transparency just call up the NSA

“Tell them nothing. Consider them possible adversaries. Protect the institution at all costs.”

(Irish Examiner, Michael Clifford, Comment, June 6.) has got it in one... or, rather, three. The pervasive, collusive, furtive culture of transparency avoidance weaves a dark spell throughout governance. Thus, truth is for wimps, openness a dangerous concept.

All the current hulabaloo about retrieving inside information and relevant minutes from the Department of Finance, IBRC, et al, is needless fluster. Any relevant ‘stuff’ required could be fully sourced simply by giving the NSA, in the US, a call. No need for all these Dáil questions, court appearances, last-minute discoveries of ‘mislaid’ minutes, judicial enquiries, etc.