SARAH CASEY,
Sir, - This morning (April 29th) I received an Oireachtas envelope containing a letter addressed to me personally from the Minister for the Environment, Noel Dempsey. He asked me to vote for him, since being on the electoral register in the Enfield area I should be grateful for his work at Cabinet, which as he says "has enabled him to deliver locally to you and your area". Featuring on the list of items for which my gratitude is required are the Enfield by-pass and the extension of the gas grid to the Enfield area.
I was a little confused because when previously asked about NRA matters such as the location of by-passes, the Minister normally replied that he had no role in this area and it is the sole preserve of the NRA. I was more confused by the reference to the gas grid as I wasn't aware he also sat on the board of An Bord Gais.
Could the Minister clarify exactly what influence he brought to bear on these organisations? Could the Clerk of the Dáil also confirm if using Oireachtas envelopes counts as an election cost? - Yours etc.,
SARAH CASEY,
Newcastle,
Enfield,
Co Meath.
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Sir, - Yesterday's incident (April 30th) involving the unfortunate Michael Noonan reminds me of a similar incident involving Bertie on a recent fact finding/pub opening/job announcing trip to the West of Ireland.
A comparison of both incidents results in many conclusions, however the following are the most valid: firstly the ingrediants of the pie thrown at Mr Noonan where indeed of a richer texture than that hurdled at Bertie.
Secondly, the pie throwing abilities of the people of the West of Ireland is indeed improving.
Thirdly, and indeed the most obvious conclusion, is that, Bertie Ahern is truely the "TEFLON" Taoiseach, nothing from pies to allegations of brown evelopes to tribunal appearances to foolish stadium notions seem to stick to him.
If anything is to be learnt from Mr Noonan's misfortune it is that the nation has at least one potential Taoiseach who owns more than one suit. - Mise le meas,
JAMES CONNELLY,
Sunny Heights,
The Flatts,
Clondrohid,
Macroom,
Co Cork.
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Sir, - What a novel and clever way of testing the mettle and tolerance of our "would be" leaders. The Custard Pie! No great harm done, other than a temporary loss of dignity, especially with a spare suit and shower all available in the roadshow wagon.
Now I know Michael Noonan has a sense of humour. Not so sure about Bertie, the people's man, who's reaction seemed quite threatening. I look forward to observing the response of the next victim of the flying custard pie, Ruairi, Mary and even Gerry.
I'd be a little wary there. Could result in litigation, the usual favourite recourse. - Yours, etc.,
M. CORCORAN,
Rosslare,
Wexford.
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Sir, - I should point out that F.H. Walker (April 30th) forgot a few points that should also be added.
(1) Any person guilty of misusing public funds should be barred as a candidate (this excludes Ms Harney).
(2) Any candidate who does not remove EVERY ONE of their election posters should be barred from all future elections.
(3) Any elected official should be paid a small basic salary of approximately 20 per cent of their current salary. The remainder may be earned as performance related bonuses. - Yours, etc.,
A. KENNEDY,
Gaithersburg,
Maryland.
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Sir, - Why is it necessary for all the parties to spend thousands of Euro advertising themselves? People will make an informed choice through reading the papers, considering past performances and future promises. Somebody's mug staring down at them from a lamp post or endless leaflets through the letterbox will not sway someone's opinion one jot. The people who judge by appearance will probably not bother to vote anyway.
The money should be put to much better use for society. - Yours, etc.,
P. CAMPBELL,
Newtownpark Avenue,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, - We turn them away at the door - even if they are Green - if their canvassing literature is in English only. If we are not otherwise too busy we say: "Look, this isn't something new! We've been saying so ever since we moved into this constituency. This is an Irish-speaking household - we're multicultural here. We would like to see your literature containing some Irish - and not just a token greeting to top and tail it. If you want to include other languages, Swahili, Romanian or whatever, all the better. After all, leaflets in English only make a statement (in the language of globalisation) that your party represents mono-cultural values. This philosophy is not acceptable to us in Ireland, nor would it be acceptable in most other parts of the world." We are fairly consistent about this. If the Mormons come knocking on the door we say: "Tell the Elders back in Salt Lake City that we require an Irish-language version of the Book of Mormon." An all-party consensus on the desirability of active bilingualism in Ireland is just another sham unless we actually see the evidence of this desire in action. - Is mise,
GABRIEL ROSENSTOCK,
Gleann na gCaorach,
Co Átha Cliath.
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A chara, - I would like to make a proposal to whichever government is in place after next month's election.
A State-backed insurance corporation to make car insurance affordable to everyone, whatever their age, sex or marital status, should be established. Similar schemes already exist in the US and New Zealand. The commercial insurance companies are using their privileged position to fleece car drivers.
The State should take car insurance out of the private sector and establish its own insurance corporation modelled on existing state companies in North America and New Zealand. These companies have proved their viability and actually contribute to better road safety through involvement in every aspect of road awareness projects.
In setting premiums they do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex or marital status, and teenage children can be added to their parents' insurance, normally at no extra cost. They also offer extra discounts for senior citizens with clean driving records.
It is unacceptable that young people are being discriminated against when it comes to car insurance, a policy that is forcing many of them to become uninsured drivers and an even bigger risk to other road users. - Is mise,
Cllr LARRY O'TOOLE,
Sinn Féin,
Artane Ward,
Dublin City Council.
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Sir, - Might I suggest that the Labour Party follow the lead of the Australian Democratic Party in their election campaign. The party slogan of eliminating "cute hoorism" would be better served if changed to "We'll keep the bastards honest!", in respect to no certain party of course. - Yours, etc.,
DORJE HEAVEY,
Nicholson Street,
Melbourne,
Victoria,
Australia.
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Sir, - Having followed election coverage and comment for over 30 years and Martyn Turner's contributions in particular, may I, probably along with the rest of the country, congratulate both himself and yourselves on his brilliant depiction on your front page this morning. Given this quality of wit, I await, with childish joy, his reaction to page six of today's edition (April 30th). - Yours, etc.,
AIDEN LAVELLE,
Terenure,
Dublin 6.
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Sir, - How dreadful to hear that Kevin Myers is at large. And, judging by his coverage of the election in South Tipperary, he is disoriented too. Before he bites any other journalists someone should tell him that Thurles is in North Tipperary, so it's highly unlikely that Martin Mansergh's election headquarters is there. After all, Mansergh is looking for a Dáil seat in South Tipperary. - Yours, etc.,
SEAMUS LEAHY,
Cherrymount,
Cluain Meala,
Co Thiobraid Árainn.
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A chara, - Handled? Hand-led? Led by the hand? Leadership or leadersheep? - Yours, etc.,
MARY T. MALONE,
Killeens,
Wexford.