Cowen’s appearance at banking inquiry was a self-serving nonsense

Michael Clifford appears surprisingly ameliorative in his appraisal of Brian Cowen’s “performance” at the banking inquiry (Opinion, July 9.)

“His demeanour yesterday was in contrast to how he appeared last week to rake over his time as Minister for Finance.”

Nothing like a week well spent in the PR agents office to recalibrate soft-delivery so you can conjure a merciful sympathy from your interrogators. After all, it was simply a question of “events, dear boy, events”.

Cowen can well afford PR fees at this stage, given his ever-inflating pension pot and investment portfolio. The sight of him swirling into the Leinster House precincts, in his chauffeur-driven Mercedes said it all.

The difficulty with taking Cowen seriously is that “ here was a highly intelligent politician who was well capable of dealing with anything thrown at him by the inquiry committee”.

So what ? All it proves is that he can wriggle out of the interrogative spotlight with ease. Is that something noble to be admired ?

Does decency, empathy and a commitment to public service, rather than to self and party, not figure?

The nonsense that not a word was mentioned about banking predicaments during protracted social outings with bankers is only matched by the fact that barely a note was taken on the ‘guarantee night’ nor a proper cabinet meeting convened re same.

Jim Cosgrove

Chapel Street

Lismore

Co Waterford