Diarmud,

As I'm not on the Ardchomhairle, I don't have all the answers to your questions.

"1. How many of the documents submitted by the branch for the attention of the Ardchomhairle members, during the 2 months prior to the branch's dissolution, were actually distributed by Labhrás & Co to the Ardchomhairle members?"

I do not have knowledge of which documents were distributed and when. I know that representatives of the Ardchomhairle met many times with the branch leadership in the time leading up to the suspension, and the branch point-of-view was certainly put forward at those meetings. There were at least a dozen such meetings, I believe.

"2. How can you have no idea on what basis Clontarf applied for a VAT refund when, as you know, Comhaltas HQ worked closely with the branch in agreeing the VAT application process and they supplied most of the information required."

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking me. I am not aware of the basis on which Clontarf applied independently for a VAT refund, and I know that their action in doing so was one which precipitated the crisis. I'm not aware of any "HQ" involvement, though perhaps you could be more specific. We're not an interchangeable mass of people, after all.

"3. In relation to your claims on the democratic nature of the Ardchomhairle:
What do you mean by 'their home districts'? Please specify the home districts.
What do you mean by 'accountable to'? Please specify how they are accountable to their home districts?
Can you tell me who elected the 31 voluntary officers?
How many members were co-opted onto the Ardchomhairle?"

The members of the Ardchomhairle (central executive council) are democratically elected by the membership of the provincial councils. Provincial councils are elected from the county boards, and county boards are elected from the branches. This is a straightforward and typical hierarchal representative democracy.

Again, I'm not sure exactly what you're asking: members of the council are elected from the Leinster, Ulster, Connacht, Munster, North America and Britain provincial committees. They are accountable to each of these districts. As always, if you don't like your representation, just elect someone else to represent you. Clontarf elects delegates directly in the Dublin county board, which elects delegates to Leinster, which elects delegates to the Ardchomhairle.

There are also a few of people who have been asked to join sub-committees of the Ardchomhairle (Music, Archive, Events, etc.) based on special knowledge, reputation or skills.