Sir, - Miraculously, since "mad cow" disease came to prominence in recent weeks, Sky News, for example, has ceased using the term "British Isles" in its broadcasts (however, I wouldn't be surprised if the term is re insinuated after the BSE debate has quietened down).
The use of the term "British Isles", especially in the context of the current outbreak of BSE, is a dangerous threat to our national economic interest. I believe it is now vitally necessary for us to waken up the British to historical, geographical and political realities.
Urgent efforts should be made right away to protect our interests, by using a wide variety of channels to communicate to the British Government, TV stations (especially satellite stations which transmit internationally), the European Commission, and if needs be the European Court, that the use of this extraordinarily presumptuous term can no longer be tolerated. - Yours etc.,
Grangecon,
Co Wicklow.