Let me put it this way, there are a lot of shenanigans going on at the moment that if the public were aware of, I think they would be horrified… there are things happening, I think, which are very strange indeed, to put it mildly.
The above quote is how RTEs Charlie Bird described the latest developments in the dodgy dogs saga at Bord na gCon. The response to this latest scandal is following a well established pattern when lids are lifted in this corrupt state.
Denial is the first reaction. We have already had that from sources within Bord nag Con.
Playing for time is the next stage. The most common strategy here is – a report or investigation. This has great advantages. While enquiries are being made, politicians and those directly involved have only to repeatedly mouth the mantra.
I would love to answer your questions but there’s an investigation in process and it’s only fair to wait until that is complete.
This strategy also means that the public will have forgotten most of the details by the time the report is published and any outrage wll have long evaporated.
In this particular case, there was a blip. Paschall Taggart insisted on holding a press conference to defend his side of the story, despite being asked not to by the minister, John O’Donoghue. This kind of maverick action could result in further embarrassing revelations. Luckily, for those involved, the press conference left the public as much in the dark as ever.
The final stage in the farce that passes for accountability in Ireland is when the report is published. If anyone is required to step aside or move sideways into another job, (Sacked? No, no – That never happens) they will be well compensated by the taxpayer. (Who, by the way, has already paid over €70 million to the greyhound industry)
The same taxpayer will then be told that the person moving sideways is a man/woman of impeccable character who has served his/her country like a true patriot.
Finally, the public will be informed by a somber politician that steps are being taken to ensure that this kind of thing never happens again.
After that – it’s on to the next scandal and the process starts all over again.