John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)

Last year ended with yet another report critical of aspects of Fianna Fáil political leadership being laid before the House. What I read in the Moriarty report leads me to question what it says for our heritage. It is unsatisfactory that when faced with troublesome past actions and inaction, some can so easily settle for an expedient rationale of mistakes, namely, incompetence, when the core issue is character.

The question of remembering then arises. Forgetfulness is something that can happen to us all. When asked to recall if any alarm bells ever rang and if they ever heard any words of concern about low standards in high places, some claimed they could not remember. They cannot recall if they ever knew anything. Yet, the contradiction is that they can now remember with certainty that whatever happened, it did not happen as stated in the report.

The question becomes what heritage we will bequeath to the following generations. We want the highest standards of law enforcement and justice when it comes to serious and violent crime, drug dealers, the carnage on the roads, the carelessness of young drivers — an important issue which must be dealt with — and in so many other areas of society. We must demand the same high standards of Government. If we ask for the highest standards from others, we must also demand them of ourselves.

I have faith in the commitment of the people to the old-fashioned virtues of integrity and competence. In the past, when times were hard, people believed that prosperity would come from hard work and honesty. Grandparents and parents nurtured ordinary decent values through education, by their words and by their actions. They taught us that honesty, decency, integrity and doing good are simple virtues that matter profoundly. They set a standard for all our actions. The ethical test, like life itself, was simple then. As a country we had our ups and downs. Mistakes were made and those involved can claim that they were all small. Anyway, many minor ethical departures did not make for a major concern. In addition, there was a reluctance to shoulder responsibility for the social consequences of the tough political decisions evaded. The bill was posted to those who accepted that they should pay their taxes.

People shape their own character and, thus, their destiny in the initiatives taken to solve life's tough problems and in the sacrifices made in choosing one path over another. Everything connects together through character. People have distinctive personalities that shape attitudes and behaviour. We must make allowances for a few small flaws on the basis that benefits follow from many other more positive talents. In the past we have been persuaded that the greater the talents, the greater should be our tolerance for a leader's flaws. People understand ordinary human failings and forgiveness is an enduring feature of Christianity. We understood the essential difference between the sinner and the sin and there was a healthy scepticism of those who righteously preached values and virtues, which was endorsed by the occasional spectacle of some falling from their lofty perch. However, as we have grown wiser, the more we understand that the balancing act between private flaws and public duties is unstable for a few powerful people. Like a spider's web, the flaws morph into threads that reach out to bridge the gap between the highest standards of personal integrity and the most minimal legal necessity, and then some more. All who come close are entangled and, after the gale has gone, history and heritage remain. Our heritage defines part of our identity and there is much in our history in which we can take pride.

For those events recorded for posterity in the Moriarty report, there is a requirement to formally mark the end of that era, not only with another report, but with a new Government. The old adage tells us there is a limit to the number of straws the camel can carry. The report is about events and a blind loyalty to silence that we do not wish to be part of our future. Only a new start with a new Government can ensure this happens. This report, which took years to compile, is a damning indictment of the difficulties people encountered throughout the political system. Young people find it very hard to connect with politics. It is a great honour to be elected by the people to represent them in the national Parliament and that involves significant trust, which has been so badly damaged that it has affected the body politic. Clearly, that is why there is much scepticism among young people regarding politicians and their work. They are quite cynical about the political system, even when one visits schools.

The report is critical. The intoxication of power, which was evident during the time under investigation, was the basis of the greatest mistake of all, as people used power for the sake of power and they added considerably to the intoxication. The next generation of politicians will be subject to the ethics in public office legislation, which is commendable. However, when there was no money in the economy in the 1980s and 1990s and there was mass emigration and people paid a standard rate of tax of 28% and high corporation tax while being hammered in every sense, it was totally wrong of those involved to take advantage of power for the sake of it.

Going forward, the country will demand openness, transparency, honesty and integrity of office regardless of the achievements of those in office. The ultimate test will be their ability to uphold old, decent values relating to integrity, competence and accountability and to stand for what they believe in regardless. All one has at the end of the day is one's name. One will be judged on what one speaks honestly about, what one acts upon and how one represents one's constituents. That is the ultimate test. While the duration of the inquiry has been criticised, Mr. Justice Moriarty must be complimented on this extensive report. It is disappointing that a question and answer session on the report has not been facilitated, given the cost involved, the time it took to compile and the searching questions it addressed. Members should have been permitted to seek answers.

I am delighted to have contributed to the debate because the publication of the report represents an important milestone. What happened during these difficult times cannot be repeated in a free country. While it is disappointing that these events took place, at least people are being brought to account for it.

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