Category: Body Politic

For so long as we keep talking we do not have to face the reality of what we are as a nation

When scandal, corruption, arrogance and incompetence raise their ugly heads in Ireland, as they frequently do, they are dealt with by talk.

The entire nation engages in endless discussion until the matter is, quite literally, talked out of existence or until another scandal comes along, as frequently happens, and changes the topic under discussion.

The one thing that must never be done, and is never done, is to actually deal with the matter in hand.

To do so would require facing the reality of what we are as a nation.

In a corrupt state that is not possible.

Michael Lowry and Mick Wallace, for example, have been immersed in scandal after scandal in recent times but remain members of our parliament.

They are still, for the most part, seen as fine upstanding public representative and are still treated with the utmost respect by most of the media.

The only response to the activities of these men has been talk, talk, talk and more talk.

Or take the recent scandal surrounding the penalty points system.

Anyone with an ounce of intelligence knows that something very rotten has occurred here yet all we do is talk, talk, talk until the matter is forgotten or superseded by another scandal.

The reason for this situation is simple. The corrupt political/administrative system, for so long as it holds power, will never allow anything more than talk – actual action in response to scandal and corruption will never become an option.

But then, amidst all the endless talk, a never to be repeated historical fluke occurred when Enda Kenny handed power to ordinary people to take direct action against the corrupt system.

They could have, literally with a stroke of a pencil, removed one of the supporting planks of the corrupt system and quite possibly triggered the collapse of the entire rotten structure.

Tragically, the opportunity was lost and we now find ourselves back in the land of endless talk.

Reams have already been written outlining a million suggestions for political reform. Television and radio stations have been invaded by hordes of politicians, commentators and journalists eager to broadcast their ideas for a brand new political system, a brand new Ireland – but it’s all just talk, talk, talk.

Some may accuse me of being too dramatic about all of this but to those I would point to an article in yesterday’s Irish Independent by former Fianna Fail politician Mary O’Rourke.

In the article O’Rourke, who was leader of the Senate from 2002 to 2007, advises the current leader, Maurice Cummins (FG) on how best to reform the institution.

Read my report on reform from nine years ago in 2004 for some ideas and implement the wishes of the people as expressed 34 years ago in the 1979 Senate referendum, she advises.

At moments like this I place my head in my hands and despair for Ireland and its people.

Senate referendum: A once in a lifetime chance to damage our corrupt political system

I don’t know nor care why Enda Kenny decided to allow Irish citizens an opportunity to abolish the Senate in a referendum on 4 October next.

What I do know with absolute certainty is that it is the greatest opportunity Irish citizens have ever been granted to do serious damage to the corrupt system that has betrayed and destroyed their country.

The Senate is much more than an exclusive club for the ruling/ privileged elite. It serves two other crucially important purposes.

It is an important visible symbol of the ruling elite’s power and it serves as an invaluable networking base to maintain that power and privilege.

I have no doubt that people such as Michael McDowell, David Norris, Mary O’Rourke and others are horrified at the prospect of losing this powerful institution that has, over the decades, been corrupted out of its original, legitimate use to become an exclusive club where political and business insiders look after each other’s interests.

The arguments put forward by the NO side are, for the most part, dishonest and ridiculous.

For example, the campaigning group Democracy Matters is asking citizens to vote in favour of retaining the Senate in order to revive the economy.

This ridiculous idea demonstrates the dearth of genuine reasons on the NO side for retaining the rotten institution.

The principal argument put forward by the NO side is political reform. Retain the Senate and we will (really, honestly this time) reform it to serve the people.

Well, we’ve heard that promise many, many times over the decades and 12 reform reports later we’re still waiting.

In 1979 the people voted in favour of a tiny, insignificant reform, the extension of the Senate franchise to graduates of all universities.

What happened?

Government after government, political party after political party contemptuously ignored the will of the people.

This elite club just couldn’t bring itself to share any power whatsoever with the great unwashed.

There will be no real political reform for so long as the corrupt political/administrative system responsible for destroying the lives of so many citizens remains in place. This will be the case whether or not the Senate is abolished.

If the referendum is defeated and the Senate remains in place those promising to reform the institution will, without a shadow of doubt, break their promise, it’s the way of Irish politics.

Instead, we will see the usual pretence of reform that will have just one principal aim – to ensure the Senate remains an exclusive club for the ruling elite.

The YES side led by Enda Kenny is just as dishonest when it promises major political reforms to compensate for the loss of the Senate.

There will be no substantial reform of our corrupt political system. The entire political system needs to be abolished and replaced with a truly democratic system that is publicly accountable and subject to the rule of law.

It is obvious that a great many people will be tempted to vote NO in order to punish this government or because they have given up on politics in general.

This would be a great pity.

This government will go; another will be installed. There will be no change; the corrupt system will continue to exploit Irish citizens as it has done for decades.

Any satisfaction gained by punishing this government will be short-term only.

If, however, the Senate is abolished it will send an earth-shattering shock through the corrupt political/administrative system. It will inflict permanent damage on the system from which it is unlikely to recover.

A vote to abolish will remove, in one decisive blow, a major source of support for those who desperately want to maintain the current rotten political system.

A vote to abolish could see the beginning of the end for the corrupt system that has blighted our country for so many decades and perhaps, just perhaps, set us on the road to building a new republic where politicians of vision and courage work for the good of the country and its people.

Copy to:

All political parties

Dan Boyle: Still clueless about the reality of Irish politics

I see Dan Boyle has embarked on a year-long master’s in government and public policy (Irish Examiner).

The course explores the theory behind the Irish political system.

You would think, after 25 years involvement in public affairs, that Mr. Boyle would be an expert on the theory behind the Irish political system.

The theory is as simple as it is deadly for Ireland and its people:

The buying and selling of votes to elect gombeens who travel to Dublin to plunder public funds in order to pay off those who voted for them and lavish favours on all and sundry to ensure re-election.

Here’s Mr. Boyle’s take on Irish political history:

We came out of a period of 70 years of underachievement, followed by 10-years of exuberance and now we’re living through the hangover.

If the Celtic Tiger taught us anything, it was that the Irish could do great things.

Here’s the truth:

We came out of a period of 70 years of a gradual corruption of the political and administrative system followed by ten years of rampant greed and corruption that enriched those in power and their friends.

If the fallout from the Celtic Tiger has taught us anything, it is that nothing has changed, that the same corrupt political/administrative system is still in place and that the suffering of the Irish people is set to continue for some time yet.

Somehow I suspect that even after a year of intensive study Mr. Boyle will still be ignorant of this brutal reality.

Update on Mick Wallace complaint

I contacted Cobh Gardai yesterday to make inquiries in respect of my complaint against Mick Wallace that I submitted nearly one year ago on 8 October 2012.

On 10th October 2012 my complaint was passed on to Wexford Gardai for further investigation, presumably because Wallace is based in Wexford.

The Garda I spoke with expressed surprise that I had not been contacted about the matter since and promised to ring Wexford Gardai today for an update.

Pat Rabbitte: Wouldn't know a caveman if he met one in Dail Eireann

According to Pat Rabbitte there are no cavemen in the country (Morning Ireland).

Clearly, Mr. Rabbitte has never met a caveman otherwise he would be aware that the Houses of the Oireachtas are full of this particular species.

Indeed, Mr. Rabbitte is himself an excellent example of what a political caveman sounds like given his primitive response to a government invitation to businessman Denis O’Brien to attend the Global Irish Economic Forum in October (Irish Times).

I don’t know what kind of tests you would expect the Government to cause invitees to the Global Economic Forum to jump through.

Clearly, Mr. Rabbitte’s caveman brain has never heard of concepts like – ethics, morality, the public good, a country’s international reputation or even respect for a political system although, in fairness, respect for the latter predates even Mr. Rabbitte’s time in politics.

The most deadly animal of all: The raging elephant of corruption

Two recent events serve to demonstrate just how far this country is away from facing reality.

Labour Senator Denis Landy publicly announced that someone had attempted to bribe him within the confines of our parliament.

The media response to this sensational event was moderate at best. There was no state response whatsoever.

A mother and child were attacked by a Tapir in Dublin zoo.

The media response was wall to wall and even now, days after the event, it is still being reported.

Take RTE for example: The incident was reported and analysed at length on Morning Ireland, Today with Myles Dungan, News at One, Liveline and Drivetime.

It made headline news for several days in all the newspapers and some even felt the need to make editorial comment.

On Liveline we heard Joe Duffy asking a caller such penetrating questions as:

Would a sheep make such an attack?

Oh yes, replied the caller, but sheep are weak so wouldn’t do as much damage.

Another caller went into forensic detail about how she was savagely attacked by a cat fourteen weeks ago.

Was it painful, asked Joe?

I never felt pain like it said the savaged woman.

Describe the cat, prompted Joe.

After a detailed description of the deadly cat the woman pleaded with the nation to be on the lookout for the monster.

She finished by warning the nation of just how deadly cats can be.

Cats are more dangerous than dogs because they constantly clean themselves. It’s the salvia, you know, all the germs are collected in the salvia and if they bite you, well, you’re doomed.

Notwithstanding the horror and pain suffered by the victims in Dublin zoo, this event is a non-story. The mother tapir, like all mothers, acted to defend her offspring – end of story.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party, elected to power principally to deal with the rampant political and financial corruption that effectively destroyed the lives of a majority of Irish citizens, announced that the bribery allegations made by Senator Landy had nothing to do with them. It was a private matter for the Senator and they were going to do nothing.

As a country we have not moved ahead by one inch in tackling the disease of political/financial corruption since the days when the criminal politician Haughey made such activity an integral part of our national heritage.

Instead, we grasp at any excuse, no matter how ridiculous, to avoid talking about the most deadly animal of all – the raging elephant of corruption that’s dancing all over our lives.

Labour Party continues the betrayal of Ireland and its people

That’s a matter for himself.

With this short sentence the Labour Party has confirmed and condemned itself as part of the corrupt political/administrative system that has destroyed this country.

When asked if the party was concerned that one of its senators had alleged he was bribed a spokesperson said:

That’s a matter for himself.

So let’s be crystal clear about what’s happening here.

Labour is refusing to act on this extremely serious matter because it is presently holding power within our corrupt political/administrative system.

It hardly needs to be said that if Labour was in opposition and a senator from another party claimed he had been bribed they would be jumping up and down for a political and police investigation.

The first decision every person elected to our Dail or Senate must make, either consciously or subconsciously, is:

Will I challenge the corrupt system or will I say nothing and keep my head down?

The vast bulk of TDs and Senators decide, either consciously or subconsciously to support and, if necessary, defend the corrupt system.

Every such decision does enormous damage to Ireland and its people particularly since the economic collapse of 2008.

Every such decision puts off the day when the Irish people can enjoy the benefits of living in a functional democracy where the rule of law applies to all and not just to those without power and influence.

Every politican who courageuosly challenges the corrupt system is immediately attacked by its members and ejected from its ranks.

Roisin Shortall and Nessa Childers are among the very small number of politicians who had the courage and integrity to challenge the system.

Because courage and integrity are strictly prohibited within our corrupt political system they had to go in order for the system to survive.

Nessa Childers chillingly described what can happen to even the most idealistic politician:

I felt I was being corrupted by the system.

Unfortunately, the vast bulk of initially idealistic politicans allow the system to infect them, to one degree or another, with the disease of corruption.

Senator Landy’s refusal to report the very serious crime of attempted bribery is an indication of how the corrupt system can warp the principles and integrity of even the most patriotic politician.

The Labour Party’s absolute refusal to act on the matter is an indication of just how corrupt the entire political system has become.

And let me be clear, Labour are not alone in abandoning truth, honesty and intergrity when operating within the corrupt political system.

To date every Irish political party, when faced with scandal and corruption, have opted to defend the rotten system and thus preserve their power rather than standing up for Ireland and its people.

Here’s former Progressive Democrats TD, Fiona O’Malley’s response to scandal and corruption.

It’s something that has always annoyed me, that the PDs are watchdogs. We have our own standards. Every other political party is responsible for their own standards within their own party. We are not watchdogs for any other party.

Green Party leader and then Minister for the Environment John Gormley when he had to decide whether to challenge the corrupt system or remain in power.

We never assigned ourselves that role because it’s a role which you cannot fulfill properly and do your work as well. We’re not the moral watchdog of any political party…we look after our probity and our standards…we cannot be responsible for events that took place before our entry into government.

And current Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton effectively rejecting the ethical standards of Roisin Shortall in favour of Minister Reilly’s stroke politics.

The fortunes of individual politicians and political parties comes after the issue of restoring the fortunes and the businesses and the employment that’s been lost in this country, and that’s our objective.

These politicians are, effectively, denying that they have any responsibility to challenge, defeat and root out the disease of corruption that has inflicted so much pain and suffering on Irish citizens.

Labour’s short but extremely damaging response to the latest allegations of corruption continues the betrayal by the body politic of Ireland and its people in favour of retaining power and influence within a hopelessly corrupt system.

That deeply depressing situation will not change until the people of Ireland are blessed with a politician or political party that never sees corruption as a personal matter for individual politicians but rather as a dangerous disease that requires immediate extermination.

Copy to:

Senator Landy
All political parties

Formal complaint to Gardai and Clerk of the Seanad in response to Senator Landy's allegations of bribery

On 1 August last I submitted a formal complaint in writing to Cobh Gardai in response to allegations of bribery made by Labour Senator Denis Landy (See full complaint below).

I also submitted a formal request to the Select Committee on Members’ Interests Seanad Éireann to investigate the matter.

This submission was made to the Clerk of the Seanad by email.

The Clerk of the Seanad rejected my request on the following grounds.

One: It was made via email. Apparently, all such submissions must be made in hard copy and physically posted to the Clerk of the Seanad.

While endearing, this insistence on using an ancient communications system does not auger well for those who argue that the Senate is a viable institution that should be retained.

Two: I requested an investigation into the matter rather than making a complaint. Apparently, I should have made a formal complaint under Section 8 (2) of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001.

Crucially, this legislation only allows for a member of the public to make a complaint against a member (of the Houses of the Oireachtas) who may have contravened Sections 5 or 7 or done a specified act.

In plain English, this means that a complaint must be made under Section 8 (2) of the Act and therefore must be made against a member.

The Catch 22 is, of course, that I am not making a complaint against a member. I am making a complaint regarding allegations of a very serious crime that took place within the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The strict adherence to the letter of the law/legislation by bureaucrats and the absence of any mechanism by which a complaint can be made regarding allegations of criminal activity within the confines of the Houses of the Oireachtas means that my complaint is likely to be rejected on the grounds that I am not making a specific complaint against a specific member.

The following exchange between myself and a senior official at the office of the Clerk of the Seanad makes this very clear.

Me: Should I submit it as a complaint?

Official: Yes, a complaint is the word used in the Act. You may make a complaint in respect of a specified act, as in an action. The Act says that a person who considers that a member (emphasised) of the Oireachtas may have contravened Sections 5 or 7 of the Act or done a specified act, something that is not permitted may make a complaint to the Clerk, so your complaint must relate to a member.

Me: In other words, my complaint must be against a member?

Official: Yes.

Me: So what you’re saying is that my complaint is going to be rejected because I will not be making a complaint against a member?

Official: I’m not saying that but I can see how that is a logical conclusion.

Me: I can’t see any other conclusion given what you’ve said to me.

Official: Yes.

Irish citizens who will be voting to abolish or retain the Senate later this year will be wise to consign this archaic, expensive and totally useless institution to the history books.

After all, that’s the bubble in which its members, regulations and procedures actually exist.

Copy to:
Clerk of the Seanad
All political parties
Michael McDowell

See below:
Complaint to Cobh Gardai
Request for investigation to Clerk of the Seanad
Reply (rejection email) from Clerk of Seanad
Second complaint to Clerk of Seanad

Cobh Garda Station
Cobh
Co Cork

1 August 2013

To Whom It May Concern:

I wish to formally report allegations of bribery made by Labour Senator Denis Landy as reported in the Irish Independent on 21 July 2013.

Senator Landy claimed that he was offered a plush holiday to coincide with a series of votes on the referendum to abolish the Seanad.

Senator Landy was reported as saying:

“I was approached by an individual in Leinster House and offered flights and a stay in a top hotel in New York should I go missing during this week.”

I have included below the full Irish Independent report.

Yours Sincerely

Anthony Sheridan

Signed:

——————————————————————————————————-

First submission to Clerk of the Seanad

29th July 2013

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a formal request to the Committee on Members Interests (Seanad Éireann) to investigate a claim by Senator Denis Landy that he was offered a plush foreign holiday to coincide with a series of votes on the referendum to abolish the Seanad.

Senator Landy expressed the opinion that the offer was made in an attempt to defeat the Government or, that he was effectively offered a bribe.

I include a report on the matter published in the Irish Independent on 21st July last.

Yours Sincerely
Anthony Sheridan

Reply from Clerk of the Seanad

Dear Mr Sheridan,

I refer to your email of 29 July 2013 in which you make a request in the following terms:
“This is a formal request to the Committee on Members Interests (Seanad Éireann) to investigate a claim by Senator Denis Landy that he was offered a plush foreign holiday to coincide with a series of votes on the referendum to abolish the Seanad.”

While members of the public can correspond directly with Committees on any matter, I would note that there is no statutory procedure to request the Committee on Members’ Interests to commence an investigation.

There is however a statutory complaints procedure available to members of the public under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001. Section 8(2) states “a person…who considers that a member… may have contravened sections 5 or 7 or done a specified act may make a complaint …to the Clerk …”.

Under the same section, The Clerk of the Seanad refers complaints to the Members’ Interests Committee of Seanad Éireann unless s/he forms the opinion that the complaint is frivolous or vexatious or that there is “not sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case in relation to the complaint”.
If the complaint is rejected, the Clerk is obliged to send the complainant, the member concerned and the Committee a statement of reasons for so doing.

Therefore, please confirm if you wish for me to treat your correspondence as a formal complaint in line with the procedure under the Ethics Acts. If you confirm that you do not want to make such a complaint, your correspondence will then be forwarded to the Committee.

If you choose to follow the complaints procedure outlined it is crucial that you provide to me all evidence available to you which is relevant to your complaint.
This information will assist me in considering whether the complaint must be sent to the Committee. If you do choose to make such a complaint I should be obliged if you would also sign your letter and return the signed copy to me.

You may rest assured that on receipt of this further information, this matter will be dealt with promptly in so far as I and the Clerk are concerned.
Please find attached an appendix with certain relevant sections of the Ethics Acts enclosed.
Yours sincerely,

Second submission to Clerk of Seanad (By post)

8th August 2013

To: The Clerk of the Seanad.

This is a formal complaint made under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001, Section 8 (2) regarding a reported incident that occurred within the Houses of the Oireachtas on a date between the 1st and 19th July 2013.

The complaint concerns a claim by Labour Senator Denis Landy that he was offered a plush holiday to coincide with a series of votes on the referendum to abolish the Seanad.

Senator Landy is reported as saying:

“I was approached by an individual in Leinster House and offered flights and a stay in a top hotel in New York should I go missing during this week.”

Senator Landy expressed the opinion that the offer was made in an attempt to defeat the Government.

According to the report Senator Landy has refused to name the person who approached him but he did describe the person as a political figure.

The incident was first reported in the Sunday Independent on 21st July 2013. I have included the complete report below.

The response of some politicians, as reported in the Irish Independent of 24th July, may be helpful in considering the matter.

Labour Seanad chief whip Aideen Hayden is reported as saying:

“It is obviously a very serious matter if someone has attempted to subvert the workings of the house in this way.

Seanad leader Maurice Cummins called on Mr Landy to report the matter to the Gardai. The Fine Gael senator told the Seanad that allegations of bribery and corruption were an extremely serious matter.

Rebel Fine Gael senator Fidelma Healy Eames also called on Mr Landy to give the “truth” about what had happened.

“If someone attempted to bribe him to absent himself from votes in this house last week, then that is very serious.”

Yours Sincerely
Anthony Sheridan

State corruption subverting the Constitution?

The fact is that our parliament is functioning in a manner which in all likelihood subverts the Constitution.

This statement by outgoing Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly is, effectively, agreeing with what we here at Public Inquiry have been saying for many years – Ireland is an intrinsically corrupt state.

If such a damaging statement were made in a functional democracy by someone of the stature of Ms. O’Reilly there would be a national outcry and either immediate condemnation of the person making the claim or emergency action to remedy the grave situation.

Here’s what Taoiseach Enda Kenny thinks:

We will strive . . . and work even harder so that we will become the best small country in the world for business, to raise a family and to grow old with dignity and respect. This will be the republic of 2016.

This indeed will be the republic of 2016 – for politicians, bankers, the legal profession, senior civil servants, property developers and all the other individuals and groups who enjoy state protection as they plunder the State’s resources, legally and illegally.

For ordinary citizens 2016 and beyond will mean continuing to pay the cost of such state corruption.

Flaccid editorials and political corruption

On Friday last (July 26) the Irish Times published an editorial concerning the continuing abuse of the law on donations by political parties.

Over the years I have read hundreds of such editorials across a wide range of publications concerning a vast range of political abuse, scandal and corruption.

They all share a common trend: An outline of the corruption/abuse, a description/analysis of proposals to counter the corruption/abuse and the hope that the (corrupt) political system will, on this occasion, obey the law.

This Irish Times editorial is no different. It’s almost as if the various publications have a file marked – ‘Standard editorial on political corruption/abuse’, which they pull out when needed.

It was refreshing therefore to read the hard hitting and right to the point comment in response to the flaccid editorial by a Mr. Martin Roche.

MartinRoche

Standards and Ethics in public life?

Is this some form of sick joke played on the people who pay the excessive salaries and perks of the elected representatives.

After 20 years of tribunals and making millionaires of a certain members of the legal profession, nothing has been resolved, the findings gather dust in some government building, covering up massive deficiencies in the government of the day and the civil service in the running of the country.

A country where the leader of the government has been found guilty of corruption instead of going to prison is given a state funeral.

At present a junior minster is under scrutiny for standards and ethics, and in fact is an exact mirror image of the Callely saga.

Mandarin found to be incompetent, instead of being given the push, is promoted to a European post with a greater salary and perks.

Until the electorate state in no uncertain terms that the civil service and the politicians work for the state and not the other way round this cancer of corruption, as it has since 1916, will carry on eating into the fabric of our society.

Now that’s an editorial.