Sir, – You report ("Why are there bibles in polling stations?", May 22nd) that many voters questioned the presence of the Holy Bible inside polling stations, and wondered why there would be "literature of any kind there".
The innocuous answer that it allows a presiding officer to ask a voter with no identification to swear an oath may leave many secularists apoplectic, even though one can make a simple affirmation instead.
Also, it would hardly be surprising to find either bibles or literature in polling stations since many of them are religious-run primary schools. – Yours, etc,
JOHN BELLEW,
Dunleer,
Co Louth.
Sir, – I am sure that William Reville is correct in stating that 90 per cent of the Irish population are Christians ( May 23rd), but this hardly explains why bibles are present in polling stations. After all, approximately 100 per cent of the population attended school, but the voting process does not require the presence of maths books. Perhaps Prof Reville could offer a more scientific explanation? – Yours, etc,
KEVIN BUTLER,
Fairview,
Dublin 3.
Sir, – For the marriage equality referendum last Friday we were informed on one hand by the Referendum Commission that material such as posters, placards and badges were not allowed within 50 metres of polling stations. On the other hand a religious book that actively calls for the execution of homosexuals was supplied to each and every polling station by the State.
Surely in this day and age we don’t need such vile coercion in a polling station? – Yours, etc,
GAVIN TOBIN,
Rathcoole,
Co Dublin.