Ahern must get rid of rotten apples
It is deplorable that the popular image of the country's largest party is increasingly defined in the public mind by a handful of politicians who manifestly have no respect for the laws of the land.
Yesterday, West Limerick TD Michael Collins, brother of former minister and MEP Gerry Collins, was named and shamed as a bogus non-resident account holder.
Politically, his position is untenable.
The hotelier's identity was disclosed by the Revenue Commissioners in the latest list of bogus account holders, the largest of its kind since the naming of Ansbacher account holders.
It matters not one whit that Mr Collins held the bogus account before he was elected. That does not lessen the gravity of the situation. The fundamental point is that he failed to put his hands up when an amnesty was declared.
The fraud only came to light in the course of a root and branch hunt for secret bogus accounts held by tax cheats. Among 373 bogus depositors who paid a total €30.08 million, he settled for €130,602.
There can be no place in the Oireachtas for anyone who engages in tax evasion nor for any politician who conceals the existence of a bogus account. It was reprehensible of Mr Collins to engage in the scam and foolhardy to think he could get away with it.
When Taoiseach Bertie Ahern returns from the United States today, he will face the reality that many politicians put private gain before public service.
Mr Ahern has made clear there is no place in Fianna Fáil for tax dodgers. But equally, he must make it absolutely clear that neither is there any place in the party for former tax cheats.
He will confront the scandal surrounding Fianna Fáil TD GV Wright, who is expected to be prosecuted on drink-driving charges after running down a woman crossing the street.
Politically, Mr Wright's position is also untenable. Outside the cronyism of the Dáil, where most TDs are avoiding calling a spade a spade in this controversy, there is absolutely no sympathy for the Dublin politician. He should be sacked.
For a TD to act as he did, makes a mockery of the Government's campaign against drink-driving. As proof of its intent, the Coalition should abolish archaic legislation whereby TDs and senators can avail of constitutional privilege to avoid prosecution. No politician should be above the law.
Meanwhile, the question arises as to why some members of Fianna Fáil, a party founded on tenets of genuine idealism, display such contempt for rules and regulations meant to govern us all. Doubtless, the answer is that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Arguably, growing perception of the arrogance that goes with unbridled power explains the fall in the party's core support to 27%, the lowest point since its foundation. Significantly, the Taoiseach's own job approval rating is also waning as the teflon image wears thin. As leader, Mr Ahern must carry a large measure of responsibility for his party's demeanour. Despite repeated promises about ethical standards, the whiff of corruption lingers.
He must now take up the challenge of restoring the high standards which defined Fianna Fáil in the past. The Taoiseach can only do that by rooting out the few who put their own interests above those of the public.
His own credibility hangs in the balance. If he sits on his hands in this matter, any remaining confidence in his leadership will evaporate and Mr Ahern, too, should resign.
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