Sir, - Travelling in Holland on business recently, I had to change trains at Druivendrecht, a Dutch version of Limerick Junction. I noted with astonishment the tall and craggy figure of Wim Duisenberg, President of the European Central Bank, waiting for a connection to Maastricht.
Over lunch with Dutch colleagues, I asked if it was national policy to encourage public figures to travel by public transport. I was assured that this was unnecessary, since the Dutch respond to ostentation with ridicule and laughter - more potent forces in an egalitarian society than policy guidelines. Anyway, it was pointed out, the trains are the quickest and easiest way to get around.
How differently we order things here. Anyone who has worked around Merrion Square is all too familiar with the sight of Mercedes limousines sweeping the populace aside with outriders and blaring sirens. The ostentation of these cavalcades, which suggest that our primary national export is the banana, would doubtless reduce a visiting Netherlander to tears of mirth.
Increased use of public transport by public figures might do more than reduce the stench of arrogance - and worse - that pervades current Irish governance. A service relied on by great and small alike is more likely to evolve into what the Dutch have and we don't: a reliable, regular and popular public transport system.
In the meantime - and doubtless it will be a very long meantime - Irish road-users should report all instances of ministerial vehicles driving without due care and consideration - when we have managed to contain our laughter, that is. - Yours, etc.,
Tony Mulqueen, Hunter's Brook, Delgany, Co Wicklow.