Penalty points: what penalty?

A chara, – Given Deputy Flanagan’s recent history can we now call him Ming the Pointless? – Is mise,

PHILIP HEALY,

Araglen River Valley,

Mallow, Co Cork.

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Sir, – In delivering his explanations in the Dáil from an iPad, Ming Flanagan demonstrated his comfort with modern technology. Why then did he not acquire a hands-free device for his mobile phone after he was first caught in June 2011? All the talk is about the massaging of his penalty points, but more alarming is his continued disregard for the safety of the other road users in Roscommon. – Yours, etc,

EOIN O’DUNLAING,

Scholarstown Road,

Dublin 16.

Sir, – Congratulations to Deputy Luke "Ming" Flanagan, he has become a real Irish politician at last! – Yours, etc,

MARTIN SWORDS,

Tiglin, Co Wicklow.

Sir, – One would hope that those in the media enjoying Ming Flanagan’s merited discomfort would preface any critique with a declaration of their own blameless status, or otherwise.

There is a need for greater transparency in both politics and the media when it comes to campaigning on important public issues.

It is important for the public to know if politicians campaigning for certain policies will, themselves, expect to be beneficiaries of those policies. Indeed, the same should apply to prominent media commentators. – Yours, etc,

PETER MOLLOY,

Haddington Park,

Glenageary, Co Dublin.