Sir, - Just as we seemed to be finally and belatedly taking action to reap our marine benefits, we have again gone into reverse. The deflation of the Department of the Marine into a Department of Communications and Natural Resources is, in my judgement, very retrograde. .
Furthermore it symbolises, especially internationally, how little we value our marine riches. Our marine assets have been well documented by the Marine Institute. They include our fisheries, our marine mineral resources, a marine territory nine times the land area - a vast source of wind and wave energy, and the basis of our marine technology, shipping and marine transport, and marine tourism, sailing and water sports. Our international neighbours must watch in total disbelief!
I urge that the significance of marine resources for our future development be rapidly and appropriately recognised - and supported by a senior ministry and a named Government Department of the Marine. - Yours, etc.,
MÁIRE F. MULCAHY,
Emeritus Professor
of Zoology,
Renvyle,
Wilton Avenue,
Cork.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - As an organisation representing cattle and sheep farmers, ICSA has had considerable dealings with Mr Joe Walsh during his tenures as Minister for Agriculture. Although we have been openly critical of him on various occasions regarding different issues, I find it odd that anyone should question the probity of his re-appointment.
Despite reports that farm organisations lobbied for his reappointment I can say categorically that ICSA is not in the business of lobbying for any particular political appointment. Such actions would be, in our view, inappropriate and damaging.
Moreover, the notion that Mr Joe Walsh is the type to pull all kinds of strings in an underhand way to secure his post is not in accordance with the reputation for integrity that he has rightly achieved.
If there was any substance to those allegations his position would be untenable and I do not believe that Mr Walsh is the kind of politician that would be so power hungry as to be reckless. In fact, the commonly accepted wisdom amongst the agri-sector was that his appointment was inevitable, in view of his foot-and-mouth record and his EU experience.
At this point, the most important thing is that the Minister immediately concentrates on proactively dealing with the many problems faced by farmers and the challenges that lay ahead both at home and in Europe. - Yours, etc.,
EDDIE PUNCH,
General Secretary,
Irish Cattle and Sheep
Farmers' Association,
Portlaoise,
Co Laois.