| Joe Horgan IT is somewhat
ironic that the ‘most skilful, most devious, most cunning’ Taoiseach of
them all is facing the ‘biggest crisis’ of his career with the
revelation that, while Minister of Finance, he accepted money from a
number of businessmen. It is ironic not because the various tribunals
have found corruption endemic throughout the root and branch of Irish
politics.
It is ironic not because he signed all of those blank cheques for
Charlie Haughey and claimed not to know about Charlie’s
super-extravagant lifestyle, which at its height was said to involve
upwards of e3,000 per day. It is ironic not because he trusted Ray
Burke, who later went to prison over corruption, enough to appoint him
Minister for Foreign Affairs.
It is ironic not because he appointed the late Liam Lawlor, who was
another one embroiled in corruption allegations and was also imprisoned,
to the Dail ethics committee.
No, it is essentially ironic because after all he has done the idea that
taking some money from a few friends to cover the cost of separation
from his wife is surely, however much it might carry the whiff of
corruption, the least of his mistakes. In other words it is a signifier
of this new Ireland that of all Bertie’s activities it is the one that
involves a few under the counter notes that tarnishes him most.
Perhaps what Bertie should be hounded about is his passive, supine
acceptance of America’s illegal activities in Iraq and Afghanistan. His
replacement of the very idea of ethical foreign policy with that of
craven, financially-induced abasement. The acceptance that the USA can
use our airports and airspace to transport prisoners for torture. The
idea that our foreign policy should be based upon support for whoever
gives us the most money.
Perhaps he should be hounded about a housing policy that has responded
to the desires and greed of developers rather than the needs of the
population. Perhaps he should be hounded because he is presiding over a
country awash with money yet unable to provide a proper housing system
for its old or those just starting out. A country where just last year
nearly 20,000 people sought the help of a housing support group. A
country where if you have the money to eat out you will find yourself in
a restaurant likely to have been fully inspected and licensed. If you do
not have that money though you may find yourself living in accommodation
that has never been inspected and would not pass even the lowest of
standards. Perhaps that is what he should be hounded about. Hounded,
perhaps, so that charities no longer have to deal with people who are
giving money to landlords who in some cases do not even supply hot water
or even rooms with windows.
Perhaps he should be hounded about a government that has given public
land to companies intent on building private hospitals. That gives
contracts to road building companies with appalling records with regards
to their employees. That puts hundreds of millions of euros into
partnerships with private companies in a way that leaves the Dáil
Accounts Committee stating it is completely unaccountable. That sells
off Aer Lingus to private hands with the minimum stake being a whopping
e10,000.
The suggestion he took money in strange circumstances when he was
Minister for Finance palls into significance in comparison. I suspect
Bertie Ahern may well have been a rock of moral probity in a sea of
Fianna Fail corruption. Either that or he is a consummate actor. So who
knows?
Perhaps what we do know is that the country has become awash with money
but that this money has been very much private cash. That we have
private wealth but public impoverishment. That we have succeeded
financially but that Bertie has presided over a government that has
handled this in a very poor way. That has promoted a culture of greed
over community.
Perhaps the Ryder Cup was a case in point. We were continuously told how
great this was for Ireland. That it was going to attract hordes of the
great and good. That it was — to use that old chestnut — great for the
country. Maybe so. But perhaps what would really be great for the
country, is a proper state-of-the-art health service. An education
system with state of the art schools. A fully protected and cherished
natural environment. Better than any hole in one. Better than any number
of presidents outside of the champagne and seafood tent. In comparison
Bertie and his mates and the few bob? Who cares?
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