Liars and swindlers
The Report of the McCracken Tribunal published this week is a
damning indictment not only of the individual politicans named in
the report - Charles Haughey and Michael Lowry - but of the two
major political parties in the 26 Counties.
Former Fianna Fáil Taoiseach Charles Haughey has been exposed as
a liar. Former senior Fine Gael Minister Michael Lowry has been
exposed as a tax cheat. He evaded tax and also availed of the tax
amnesty. When the tax amnesites were introduced Fine Gael
described them as ``cheaters' charters''.
Claims that big business donations do not give the donors
privileged access to the corridors of power now have no
credibility. Does anyone seriously believe that the bankrolling
of the two main political parties, and of senior figures within
them, by one of the biggest companies in the State, has not had a
bearing on policy, either directly or indirectly?
The real issue is not simply a question of the personal ethics of
politicians. It is a question of whose interests they represent.
They are democratically elected to represent their constituents
without fear or favour. But at local and national level Fine Gael
and Fianna Fáil have consistently favoured the wealthy against
the economically disadvantaged. They have created a culture of
privilege.
Unanswered questions remain not only about the wealth of Charles
Haughey and Michael Lowry but about Greencore, Telecom, Hepatitis
C and other scandals. All these issues must be fully
investigated.
d even more importantly an alternative to the politics of
privilege and graft must be created. The McCracken Report will no
doubt fuel public distrust of all politicians and of politics
itself. But apathy and cynicism do nothing to change the status
quo. Sinn Féin is building the alternative and all who seek real
change should look to it to develop new politics for a new
Ireland.
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