Sir, – I'd like to concur with Mark Paul's comments in his article last Friday , "A finance minister holding shares in an alcohol giant in the midst of a strident budget alcohol debate is a clear conflict of interest" ("Paschal Donohoe needs to offload his demon drink shares", Business Analysis, July 14th).
Surely the Minister for Finance should have no conflicts, perceived or otherwise, and Mr Donohoe saying that he is in compliance with Sipo (Standards in Public Office) regulations or that he bought the shares in question prior to becoming Minister is completely missing the point. This is not a grey area. I would urge him to reconsider his stance and sell all his shares. – Yours, etc,
FRANK CLOHOSEY,
Douglas,
READ SOME MORE
Cork.