Madam, - I was genuinely astounded to read last Thursday that Minister for Finance Brian Cowen was asking fellow ministers to take some responsibility for the cost overruns in their areas.
What a truly novel idea - ministers being responsible for something. He must have come across the concept on one of his foreign jaunts. Huge potential, but I don't think it will catch on here. - Yours, etc,
DICK BARTON, Tinahely, Co Wicklow.
Madam, - The causes of many of our modern-day problems have been analysed and discussed by many people in considerable detail. We know, for instance, that the carnage on our roads is caused by a lack of Garda enforcement, that violent crimes are the result of the excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs, and that the recent riot on Dublin's main street was the outcome of a provocative march by a sectarian organisation.
However, there has been practically no comment on the plight of Mr George Michael, the victim formerly known as a singer. When arrested for possession of class "C" drugs, he said the whole thing was his "own stupid fault, as usual". Clearly the man must be mistaken, and someone else surely to blame. - Yours, etc,
KEVIN BUTLER, Philipsburgh Avenue, Dublin 3.