Dereliction of duty

AS WITH the gardaí, so too in the political sphere has lack of accountability also, once again, reared its head. Despite all the socalled complexities around who read which email when, and what precisely the timeline was in relation to politicians and departmental civil servants, the issue is actually quite straightforward.

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald did nothing to stop an attack on whistleblower Maurice McCabe. When questioned on the matter she didn’t furnish the Taoiseach with the correct information.

Meanwhile, the current Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan already knew on November 13 about the email involving his Cabinet colleague. He said nothing, not to his colleague and not to the Taoiseach, even though he was seated beside Leo Varadkar in the Dáil when the issue was under discussion and Mr Varadkar did not have the correct information at his disposal.

At its heart, this is an issue of accountability over an obvious dereliction of political duty. If Leo Varadkar actually meant what he said when he declared back in 2014 that whistleblowers were ‘distinguished’, if he truly believes in openness and transparency in government, then it is difficult to see how the two ministers in question can continue in office as if nothing has happened.

Ultimately a political decision will be taken by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. Then, come polling day, the Taoiseach will be judged on the consequences of that.