Madam, - The recent European report on the environment is a perfect example of why EU states need supranational government with strong domestic powers.
Fears of the economic downturn associated with reducing emissions and increased regulation of industry plague politicians constantly facing new elections.
Within an enlarged Union of 25 there will always be a political head somewhere with this conundrum to face and the "sovereign right" to ignore EU directives at will. To reach the comprehensive agreement required to halt the ever-downward trend of environmental dereliction, a government must be able to impose its will without falling prey to petty local concerns.
Fortunately, such a government exists in Brussels. It is time for the people of Europe to wake up and realise that the sovereign state will always fail in the long term. It is time to accept our continental convocation. - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL KEARY, Monaleen Heights, Castletroy, Limerick.