Sir, - I noticed the recent refusal of a planning application by a planning authority for the erection of a crucifix on the basis of its visual intrusion. This would appear to be yet another step in the onward march of spurious political correctness gone mad.
I hereby propose that these criteria be now applied retrospectively many existing developments, starting with Cork County Hall, to be followed by Liberty Hall, then the Wellington Monument and, of course, the cross in Dublin's Phoenix Park and the obelisk on Killiney Hill. Next in line would be the TV mast on Kippure and RTE's own Eiffel Tower. Our very strict criteria would then be applied to the Four Courts, the Custom House, Arus Mhic Diarmada, the loopline bridge at Tara Street, the ESB's twin stacks, Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin's Civic offices (howls of manic laughter, c'mon everybody), the Parnell Monument and any statue on O'Connell Street the topmost point of which is higher than the mountain of bull that is uttered by way of justification for such crass, indefensible prejudice.
The real bonus will be no steel nail driven into the middle of O'Connell Street (Yippee!). Planners, get a grip. Make your decisions on planning grounds and not on the basis of very obvious deference to the raucous anti-Christian pagan culture which infests our land. - Yours etc.,
Brendan Henderson, Dublin 18.