Sir, - David Andrews's column of December 16th gave a general outline of how party strategy and policy are formulated.
In an otherwise interesting article, Mr Andrews mentions the "considerable personal risk" to which TDs subject themselves in travelling up to the weekly party meetings in Dublin. This risk arises due to "our poor roads and our awful driving record".
To whom would Mr Andrews apportion the blame for this? Ireland must be the only "developed" country in the world where it is legally possible to drive a car for years without ever having passed a driving test. In fact, it is only by failing a driving test that one is allowed to drive without supervision!
Is this not Government policy? The policy of the same Government of which Mr Andrews was formerly a Minister and is currently a member?
Perhaps the next time the party meets to discuss and prepare policy, it would do well to try to find a sensible policy that would reduce the personal risk to which our TDs subject themselves weekly. - Yours, etc.,
Andrew MacAlister, Maywood Lawn, Raheny, Dublin 5.