Sir, - Having left Ireland four years ago, I recently enjoyed a cycling holiday in the country of my birth. As many commentators have noted, Ireland has changed quite dramatically in four years. I was struck by how our gracious capital city has literally been handed over to the motorist.
While cycling and walking in Ireland, I was dumbstruck by how the car is insidiously destroying whole facets of our society. On isolated country roads, while enjoying the spectacular natural beauty of our island, I would be traumatised by a speeding motorist.
I have lived in Sweden where the speed limit on motorways is 65 mph, 55 mph on dual carriageways, 43 mph on roads outside built-up areas and 31 mph in built-up areas. These speed limits are rigorously enforced and respected.
I was appalled by the visual pollution of our landscape in the form of "Southfork-style" ranches; the "bungalow blitz" so well chronicled by your correspondent, Frank McDonald, that blots the Irish countryside. It is a disgrace to our nation.
With our European sponsored autobahn, we snugly wallow in the fruits of the Celtic Tiger. How long will it be before Ireland gets a taste of the world-wide resistance to the motor car and the attempts by environmental activists to reclaim our streets, our lives, our future? - Yours, etc., Brian Casey,
Forest Gate, London.