Sir, - Not content with printing news that merely informs its readers, The Irish Times has distinguished itself once again by its genius and perspicacity. The decision to print in adjacent columns articles on the proposed "superdump" at Silvermines and Cavan's infamous potholes (Home News, May 28th) has given me a stunningly simple idea. Why not use the rubbish destined for the future dump to fill the holes in Cavan's road?
The idea is not as stupid as it sounds; for as well as satisfying the demands of the various protest groups, consideration must be given to the employment possibilities this scheme would generate. I envisage a new State organisation (An Hole?) with the sole responsibility of managing the transfer of millions of tons of rubbish from various parts of Ireland into Cavan. Of course such an organisation would have to employ many tens of thousands of people, a move which would wipe out unemployment in one go.
Massive trucks operating around the clock would be used to ferry the rubbish, their large and aggressively-treaded tyres creating even more potholes. Thus in theory the process would be self-sustaining, requiring only a supply of rubbish, which the Celtic Tiger is capable of producing in ever-increasing quantities.
After a few decades of operation to test the feasibility of the project, it would be extended to any county with an alleged road surface problem.
If the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, cares to contact me, I'd be only too happy, for a very modest fee, to set up and manage this exciting project. - Yours, etc., John Anderson, Consulting Engineer,
Dromard, Co Sligo.