Madam, - In February 2003 the Committee on Procedure and Privileges established a sub-committee on Seanad reform. Perhaps it is also time to look at the position of Lord Mayor of Dublin with a view to its reform.
The arcane and outdated system of narrow nomination and election diminishes the Lord Mayor's public legitimacy. The position of Dublin's first citizen should be decided on a fully democratic basis by a ballot of the citizens. To use the position of Lord Mayor to groom prospective candidates for some future general election or, as we have just seen, for possible elevation to the European Parliament, is an affront to democratic principles.
To anyone who would argue for the current system to be maintained, I have just two words to say: Royston Brady. - Yours, etc.,
TOM COOPER, Delaford Lawn, Knocklyon, Dublin 16.