Madam, - Nobody with a shred of taste could possibly defend mutant motors on aesthetic grounds alone - silly spoilers, wacky windows, ugly alloys - but is that any reason to ban them? If vulgarity is to be proscribed by law, half the bungalows and all the shopping centres in Ireland will have to come down.
In announcing the imminent restrictions on modified cars, Minister of State Ivor Callely made some feeble references to public safety. If he is truly concerned about carnage on the roads, he could deploy more gardaí to enforce existing legislation, allow county councils the funds to surface roads properly and erect signs on dangerous bends.
All of this require foresight, intelligence and tenacity. However, these won't make headlines so the problem will be addressed with silly stunts like this one.
To use the NCT to impose this prohibition is squalid and underhand. The NCT was originally touted as raising safety standards, not as a blunt instrument of social engineering. - Yours, etc,
PHILIP DONNELLY, Maynooth, Co Kildare.