PACO TAYLOR,
Madam, - A modest proposal is called for here. Since bartenders and "lounge girls" are exposed to health hazards from smokers and their union wants to ban smoking, wouldn't it be simpler to banish bartenders and "lounge girls" altogether? We could then have pleasantly anonymous automated pint dispensers - no guff, no waiting.
This would also reduce the price of the pint by getting rid of the unnecessary overhead involving awkward bartenders and "lounge girls" and the union dues they are pressured to pay.
Victimised ex-bartenders and those formerly louche "lounge girls" would then be freed to usefully engage in tree planting on O'Connell Street, say, or any other fresh-air activity encouraged by their caring nanny-union. A win-win solution, surely? - Yours, etc.,
PACO TAYLOR, Temple Lane, Dublin 2.
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Madam, - There has been a lot of debate about the ban on smoking in pubs and restaurants, much of it referring to civil liberties and a heavy handed Health Minister. The simple truth is that all workers should be entitled to do their jobs with out being forced into years of passive smoking. The number of drug addicts involved should not dissuade the Government from doing what is right.
If the number of people addicted to heroin - a drug which causes far fewer problems for Irish society - was to skyrocket, would its consumption be legalised? - Yours, etc.,
SEAN MOONEY, Dublin 15.
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Madam, - I am greatly impressed by the Minister of Health's zeal to improve the well-being of the nation as manifest in his intention to ban smoking in food-serving pubs, etc.
However, would it not be logical for him to go the full distance and ban alcoholic drink in those same establishments? - Yours, etc.,
JOE DILLON, Galloping Green, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.