Coping with the big freeze

Madam, – It appears the “Minister for Snow” is to blame for not anticipating the snow, and the Minister for Education for not…

Madam, – It appears the “Minister for Snow” is to blame for not anticipating the snow, and the Minister for Education for not anticipating the thaw. – Yours, etc,

MANUS SWEENEY,

Belgrave Square,

Monkstown,

Co Dublin.

Madam, – Let’s introduce some sense into this issue.  I estimate there are 5,000-10,000 farmers out there with modern, up-to-spec tractors, fertilizer spreaders with a capacity of least two tonnes, and a mobile phone. Sitting in their sheds, maybe for 10 years, might also be an appropriate number  of 500kg bags of salt.

All they need is a basic contract: on receipt of a text message,  they get out there and do their designated bit.

Meanwhile, the councils could cover those inaccessible areas in and around the towns.

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However,  such suggestions will no doubt fall flat due to so-called health and safety concerns.

Am I alone in thinking that the sooner the better we shut down as many as  possible purveyors of  “health and safety” before they smother us to death in cotton wool, and instead let common sense prevail? – Yours, etc,

NICHOLAS GRUBB,

Clogheen,

Co Tipperary.

Madam, – Suddenly we have become aware of the crucial importance of rock salt for maintaining our national transport system and the safety of our citizens.

Before the memory of the most adverse weather conditions in almost half a century fades with the snow on the ground, may I suggest that the possibility of establishing a rock salt extraction facility, using our abundant natural marine resources, be examined as part of the Government’s review of emergency arrangements?

Such a facility, located perhaps on the west coast, would create sustainable employment and meet ongoing domestic and export demand. – Yours, etc,

VAL O’DONNELL,

Iona Park,

Glasnevin,

Dublin 9.