Sir, - I am happy to see that Cablelink is expanding its service. We in Cork will watch with envy. We would never aspire to INTERNET connections from our service provider. We would only hope for simpler joys, such as the ability to use our video recorders without paying out both an extra connection charge and an extra £60 a year rental. And even then, we couldn't use most of the programming facilities on our videos!
We might, though, hope that sometime soon at least the elements of modern communication would arrive and that our cable service provider would allow us to receive stereo broadcasts (including RTE) in stereo. Currently, all are converted to mono!
Perhaps the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Mr Lowry, might even stir himself to investigate this peculiar monopoly position!
Strange, isn't it (and maybe Nuala O'Faolain might wonder about this), that Cablelink is owned by a State monopoly full of those "jobs for life" types with no initiative and no disincentive? Who owns our service provider? A few people really, but biggest among them is that model of dynamic, innovative Irish business, Independent Newspapers.
So off you go, Minister! Privatise that inefficient State service, Cablelink, and its consumers will share in all the benefits of dynamic private sector efficiency, just like us! - Yours, etc.,
The Orchards,
Middle Glanmire Road,
Cork.