Trevor Sargent has been lauded by Oireachtas members and journalists alike as being "the most ethical politician in Ireland". If this be the case, then I fear the quality of our politicians has remained stagnant.

More saddening is that we praise the best of a bad bunch. Sargent's token self-removal from the leadership of the Greens prior to his party entering government with Fianna Fáil rang hollow as he went on to not only support the Fianna Fáil-led government but was importantly one of its senior spokespeople as a junior minister.

Likewise, Sargent was praised for the speed with which he fell on his sword. But the fact remains Sargent tried to use his position to steer a garda investigation on more than one occasion and knew that that was not an acceptable action for a TD never mind a Minister.

His resignation came only after he was found out and the story hit the papers. How magnanimous!

Is Ireland so starved of ethics that this man is deemed our champion?

Frances Randal,

Templeogue.