Madam, – I welcome Minister for Environment John Gormley’s decision to provide for a directly chosen mayor of Dublin and agree with Bertie Ahern that the post should be sought only by serious politicians. I would, however, suggest an innovative and appropriate method of selecting a winner rather than through another boring election. Why not a reality TV programme where all the candidates climb the O’Connell Street Spire, on the outside. Too difficult? Not at all. Blood-sucking leeches can cling onto anything. Look how they managed with the pensions and long-term gratuities. – Yours, etc,