A Chara, - Finian McGrath TD (February 22nd) asks why the PDs, at 1 per cent in the polls, appear to receive more coverage in the media than "independents" at 8 per cent. He calls for "fair and balanced coverage of political matters".
The polls actually cover support for independents and others and these range from Christian Solidarity to the Immigration Control Platform to the Socialist Party and non-party candidates. It cannot be assumed that the 8 per cent who support "independents and others" are of a broadly similar political creed.
Mr. McGrath received 3,781 votes in the last general election, or about 0.2 per cent of the total of 1.858 million. No other candidate in Ireland stood on the McGrath Independent platform. By his logic, as a national newspaper, your coverage of him should reflect this level of support. - Is mise,
Cllr MALCOLM BYRNE (Fianna Fáil), Gorey, Co Wexford.