Sir, - Kathy Sheridan's article (Opinion, July 28th) makes, as ever, eminent sense. Rural commuters and populations (i.e. outside the M50) have for decades drawn the short straw in relation the distribution of the woefully inadequate public transport budget.
In a republic, all citizens are equal but some are more equal than others. Dublin dwellers are more equal in transport terms than Doolin dwellers, but a Doolin-dwelling Government Minister is more equal again.
Perhaps there is a simple solution. The Cabinet should give up their State-subsidised Mercedes cars and grant themselves instead public transport vouchers to an equivalent value. I guarantee that within 6 months a highly efficient, comfortable, reliable, customer-focused and integrated national rail and bus system would be in place. A sure-fire election winner, I warrant, which would finally show that, despite recent events, the Government is in touch with the pulse of the people. - Yours, etc.,
Brian M. Lucey, Sallins, Co Kildare.