Sir, – There appears not to have been one word of apology to people who don’t have televisions, smart phones, etc, for the unpleasant swipe by Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte earlier in the week. Not even a simple retraction.
It is difficult to avoid the conclusion, therefore, that the whole thing was a deliberate ploy to flush out the strength of opposition to the proposed Public Service Broadcasting Bill. How cynical and disrespectful, especially from a Labour politician and in this centenary year of all years. It seems to me that only the French have succeeded in making public representatives wary of their electorate – and that was over 200 years ago. But we don’t do that any more. – Yours, etc,
MARTIN KAY,
Lough Gur,
Co Limerick.
Sir, – With so many cavewomen and cavemen coming forward to proclaim themselves in the columns of your newspaper, the Government must now be worried about its plans to abolish the Second Chamber? – Yours, etc,
KEN HANNIGAN,
Dunganstown,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – How gratifying that The Irish Times thought it important enough to publish no fewer than 14 letters from the cave folk. Those doughty folk who have such contempt for that device of Satan, the television. Folk who will resist to the death the invasion of their homes by any other electronic media. How dare the Minister suggest they pay a licence for things they wouldn't dream of using! How nice to think of their cosy homes, full of the laughter of happy children as they sit round the turf fires playing Snap in the long winter nights.
One might only wonder how all 14 managed to hear the comments of the Minister, and would the Editor care to let us know how many of the letters were hand-written? – Yours, etc,
DONAL Mac POLIN,
Coolmine Blvd,
Blanchardstown,
Dublin 15.