We all share responsibility for turning a blind eye to corruption in politics

THERE seemed to be a sense of relief and a sense of expectation in many quarters last week as the end of the era of Bertie Ahern was announced.

The Taoiseach’s surprise decision has prompted questions as to whether we are moving into a new era of politics and if the political focus, to quote Ahern, can be “realigned”.

Maybe it can be temporarily, but there are still so many unanswered questions that issues raised at the Mahon Tribunal will be around for a long time. As has so often been the case throughout his career, Ahern’s choice of language in criticising the Mahon Tribunal last week was unfortunate and foolish.