Centre of integrity

THERE is clearly a need for a Centre for Public Inquiry, but whether it is the current self-appointed body is seriously open to question.

Any such body must itself be completely transparent and open to public scrutiny. It must apply to itself the highest ethical standards. Its motives and integrity must be beyond reproach and its political non-alignment beyond question.

Whatever one thinks of Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s actions, Frank Connolly now has some serious questions to answer. Former judge Feargus Flood does little for the credibility of the CPI by demanding the standards of evidence required in criminal proceedings.