A Chara, - George Reynolds and DK Henderson (letters, March 17th and 21st) have a problem with those holding elected office writing to your pages. Mr Reynolds in particular argues that politicians have other arenas where they can air their views.
This is true but the letters page is often a far more effective way of contributing to a discussion and if a public representative can enlighten or challenge readers, then his or her views should be considered. As a local councillor, I frequently find that more people will notice what I might write in a letter to these pages than may be aware of what I say in a council chamber. Indeed, ministers and those with decision-making power are often more aware of what I may have scribbled here than of views voiced at party meetings.
The letters page frequently contains the best pieces of writing and some of the most insightful commentaries in The Irish Times. Sometimes, it is those who are elected who make those contributions.
The only criterion for publication should be the extent to which a letter will meaningfully add to a discussion, not its origins.
In the meantime, all of us public representatives can only aspire to being published as often as DK Henderson. - Is mise le meas,
Cllr MALCOLM BYRNE, Gorey, Co Wexford.