Sir, - However persuasive the arguments for stricter immigration control, those for tighter visitor control are far more compelling: how else will we put the lid on this constant carping about litter from foreigners unaccustomed to our ways? Were they not told we are a spiritual, otherworldly people, that such mundane concerns are best left to the Scandinavians and the more driven type of German and American visitor?
What do our consular staff abroad do, if not accurately represent us? When the likes of Ciaran Hogan (July 28th), happily stashed away in Finland of all places, where litter becomes part of the permafrost the minute it hits the ground, gives out to us about litter, well, it's high time to take a closer look at our visitors. There is a strong case to be made for pre-entry vetting, visas even, if that doesn't work. We should pitch our tourist advertising at the low-life types attracted by the carry-on in Temple Bar and suchlike. At least they have never complained about litter.
The sad truth is that, where visual aesthetics are concerned, we are a careless, heedless people. From bungalow blight to discarded waste paper, the evidence convicts us. While well short of actual blight, the state of many buildings, especially shops, is a giveaway of how little store is set by appearance. The well-kept one stands out a mile. The problem goes far deeper than we think. - Yours, etc., Peter Scanlan,
Lee Mount, Lee Road, Cork.