Sir, - I am one of those young people disillusioned with Irish politics. The advertising undertaken by Fine Gael recently exemplifies the growing detachment of politics from reality. "Eradicate the Celtic snail. We'll grab it by the horns" - or some such nonsense, accompanied by a grotesque image of a green snail. Is it a joke? Have Fine Gael turned their party into some sort of unfunny circus? It's no wonder that people are becoming apathetic about politics here, especially young people. Snails don't even have horns. The posters are idiocy, nothing else. People actually designed these posters and paid money to have them posted. It is frightening to think that these same people intend to take on the serious business of running the country. They should engage in proper, serious political discourse to win votes, not the nonsense on show on billboards and bus stops. That is the place for commerce to engage in madness, not "wannabe" governments.
I have not previously been compelled to write to a newspaper for I believe that my concerns are not those of those who run the country or edit newspapers. I like to take an interest in politics but the tomfoolery on the part of Fine Gael is disheartening. If it goes unchecked, apathy will increase and the mandate future governments will have to govern is highly questionable.
The actions of Fianna Fail and the other parties in the near future might prove interesting.
Then again, politicians are like sheep sometimes - of different breeds perhaps, but sheep nonetheless. - Is mise.
John Moran, Beechwood Close, Dublin 15.