Centre for Public Inquiry

There is clearly a need for a Centre for Public Inquiry, but whether it is the current self-appointed body is seriously open to question.

Any such body must itself be completely transparent and open to public scrutiny. It must apply to itself the highest ethical standards. Its motives and integrity must be beyond reproach and its political non-alignment must be beyond question.

Whatever one thinks about Minister McDowell's actions, Frank Connolly now has some very serious questions to answer.

Former justice Fergus Flood does little for the credibility to the CPI, or himself, by demanding the standards of evidence required in criminal proceedings.

Indeed, his naive failure to comprehend the reality of the current situation suggest that he too might consider his position.