Madam, - During December, Dublin City Council together with a well-known health insurer sponsored a major ice-skating opportunity for young people in Dublin's Smithfield. However, young people depending on their local club or youth group to bring them were doomed to disappointment: ice skating is not covered by Irish insurers. Well-meaning leaders bringing young people to Smithfield (and indeed to other rather "ordinary" youth activities) do so at the leaders'own risk.
Motor insurers have managed to highlight injustices facing them and have at last secured Government interest in their cause. Before the season of goodwill becomes a memory could the Government also spare a thought for the hard-pressed, unrecognised youth sector? We have now reached a stage where many activities enjoyed by adventurous teenage youth are not insurable by clubs. Meanwhile society is outraged when that sense for excitement and adventure is expressed instead in numerous anti-social ways. - Yours, etc.,
M. HAMILTON,Bawnlea Green, Dublin 24.