ROBERT CHARLES
Madam, - I would like to take issue with some of the points made by Jason Fitzharris (November 6th) regarding the move by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Martin Cullen, to abolish the dual mandate.
Local and national issues are not as polarised as Mr Fitzharris would have us believe. Many local issues have a general application and experience gained locally in addressing such issues can be of benefit in a national context. A politician addressing local issues is not necessarily "pandering" to local minority interests, but may in fact be helping local people in their dealings with national agencies.
Is Mr Fitzharris suggesting, for example, that upon election to the Dáil TDs should be required to close down their constituency clinics?
Democracy is primarily abut giving people a voice in how their society is organised and run, and turning the Houses of the Oireachtas into a debating chamber for lofty ideals is not necessarily the way to discharge the functions of democracy. - Yours, etc.,
ROBERT CHARLES O'CONNOR, Tallaght, Dublin 24.