The Mahon Tribunal

Wednesday, 28th March 2012

So what exactly were people's reactions to the findings of the Mahon Tribunal? Of course at first there was shock but there was almost a sense as well as if people were expecting it. That does not mean to say that people liked what was uncovered but after so many years of hearing bad news heaped upon bad news when it came to financial mismanagement of the country were we really so surprised that some politicians seemed to be involved as well? In many ways the entire thing is entirely shaming. Perhaps it is a result of coming from such a small country where a person's reputation means an awful lot but finding out that several leaders of our country were involved in dubious activities is a terrible thing. And that it means other people in other countries know this as well is doubly shaming. Of course there is also a lot coming out about the Mahon Tribunal that was reported on during its long investigation. Certain things that journalists had their hands tied over until the Tribunal gave its findings. Now of course it is all coming out. How after years of investigations it was almost a joke how Bertie Ahern gave evidence at the Tribunal and his laughable attempt to explain his finances. He of course has come out fighting and said that he completely rejects the findings of the Tribunal. But in the well known saying, he would say that wouldn't he? The fact is that three former Fianna Fail Taoisigh have been called out and their actions questioned over their judgement and their financial dealings. Charlie Haughey, Albert Reynolds and Bertie Ahern. What a triumvirate of virtue they make. A lot has been made of the fact that it was this elite in the Fianna Fail party that dirtied the name and history of all that it has stood for. However that asks the question what the rest of the party were doing when these leaders in particular were in high favour and winning it elections? Of course no one is saying that the ordinary members have anything to defend themselves over and it is perhaps they who have most questions to ask. Then again there is the saying that a fish rots from the head down. How will Fianna Fail ever recover? Even though it received a thorough thrashing at the last election there was a base from which to recover. People do forgive and people do forget and as the present Government faces its own difficulties its popularity its own position could recover. But after this? How could anyone from the party ever knock on someone's door and ask for their vote? What the Mahon Tribunal and its findings have made abundantly clear is that there is a culture or at least was a culture in Fianna Fail that is entirely questionable. It also made clear the fact that several very high level members of the party tried to interfere with its work by coming out and attacking it as it went about its business. It seems that at every turn Fianna Fail reverted to type. Of course it is not only Fianna Fail that has questions to answer. Members of Fine Gael, Labour and even Independents were named as taking money for their votes in Dublin. Even when this was happening it was reported in the newspapers but it had to wait for something like the Mahon Tribunal to be comprehensively dealt with. The fact that the Tribunal has taken so long and cost so much of course has to be questioned but for the time being people seem to be happy, although justifiably angry, with the outcome. It hasn't pulled any punches. The real test of the Tribunal's findings will be of course if any criminal proceedings will take place on foot of its findings. Bertie Ahern has already left Fianna Fail before he was pushed out. That is one thing, the other is will Fianna Fail ever be able to hold its head up again?