Sir, – I was breathalysed a few weeks ago at a random Garda checkpoint on the Stillorgan Road in Dublin. I have been an asthmatic for more than 30 years. I had no difficulty blowing into the bag for the required number of seconds. I passed the test. It is, however, comforting to know that in future, I along with the tens of thousands of other asthma sufferers in the country, will be able to avoid being breathalysed by stating that, just like Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, we too suffer from asthma.
Why do we keep electing these people? – Yours, etc,
CIARAN O’KELLY
Nutley Avenue,
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
Sir, – I find it hard to believe that Alan Shatter would be unable to fully complete his breath test when stopped by gardaí. In the last week he has blown so much hot air as to complete 1,000 breath tests. – Yours, etc,
CONOR COOKE,
Braemor Road,
Churchtown, Dublin 14.
Sir, – I have two simple requests.First, could the politicians stop playing tit-for-tat over traffic rules infringements and get on with running the country and supposedly saving the economy. Second, could the media stop facilitating these games and get back to reporting on the real issues regarding the governance of our country. – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN CURTIS,
Kirwan Street Cottages,
Dublin 7.
Sir, – So, Bill Clinton didn’t inhale and Alan Shatter didn’t exhale. All a matter of huff and puff? – Yours, etc,
MAIREAD MASON,
Wellfield,
Ballymore Eustace,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – The economy flounders. The banks need continuing bailout. Unemployment is at record levels. Homes are being repossessed. Cattle are starving in the fields. Slaughter continues in Syria. Taxes are shredding our incomes. And yet acres of newsprint and voluminous airspace are devoted to a playground squabble. (Guards caught you driving with a mobile phone – did not – did so – did not, etc). I despair. – Yours, etc,
JOHN QUINN,
Stradbally North,
Clarinbridge, Co Galway.
A chara, – I am wondering if Mattie McGrath got his information about Alan Shatter from the same source as Mr Shatter got his information on Mick Wallace, and if he did, should he now apologise in the Dáil. I can’t help wondering if Mr McGrath was ever the recipient of the discretion of a member of the Garda Síochána, and I suppose we will find out in the next couple of days when the next domino falls.
Hopefully when our elected representatives get over this substantive issue they will then get on with the minor task of guiding our country through the worst crisis it has been through since the second World War. – Yours, etc,
GARY DOYLE,
Castledillon Road,
Straffan, Co Kildare.