DAVID LUTTRELL,
Sir, - I applaud your article on the need for regulation of Ireland's burgeoning charity industry. However, regulation must go beyond how the money is spent to encompass how it is collected.
Having set up my regular charity contributions years ago, I survive multiple Grafton Street assaults only by constant and alert focus ahead for anyone with brightly coloured bibs clipboards or a cheesy grin, followed by swift evasive action. The latest breed of teenage girls (the boys approach only females), however, are difficult to spot. They appear at your side with little cards and follow you down the street!
It seems the days of the leisurely stroll along our main traffic-free street are gone for good. Surely the time has come for a full and fair permit system, with quotas for busy thoroughfares such as Grafton Street? Failing that we beleagured citizens will have to resort to more anarchic methods: "reclaim the pavements", anyone? - Yours, etc.,
DAVID LUTTRELL, Trinity Square, Townsend Street, Dublin 2.