Who can investigate centre for inquiry?

MICHAEL McDOWELL is Minister for Justice, not the minister of silly walks. Even the lowliest credit union must undergo strict audits and be licensed to operate as a public service.

So where does the so-called Centre for Public Inquiry imagine its gets its authority to investigate others? Who sets its agenda, and to what end?

Is it obliged to investigate the credentials of its own members? And now that the war is over (nod-nod, wink-wink), would those with links to IRA/SF be given clearance to join this elite band who have taken on the mantle of a latter-day Eliot Ness and Co?

Finian McGrath made a mistake by trying to silence the minister in the Dáil, while playing up the bona fides of a suspect private organisation which has tried and failed to associate itself with a prestigious public institute (similar in name only) in Washington DC.

Chuck Feeney has been taken for a ride. But there’s no reason that we should follow suit.

And if Michael McDowell has questions to answer, then I’m sure the Attorney General will handle the necessary paperwork... in the fullness of time.

Richard Dowling

Coote Street

Mountrath

Co Laois