Madam, - Following a recent stay in Donegal I can confirm that, regrettably, ragwort seems to be endemic in many parts. Gone are the days when the bicycle-clipped local Sergeant or Garda called round to farmers to check on their compliance with the Noxious Weeds Regulations or the Regulations on Control of Scrub Bulls. Of course, I understand that certain gardaí in Donegal may have been otherwise pre-occupied in recent years but I do not expect the proliferation of ragwort there to form a module of the excellent Morris Tribunal. Nevertheless, perhaps this issue might be addressed by members of the soon-to-be-formed Tonton MacDowell? Yours, etc,
LIAM CAHILL, Drumree, Co Meath
Madam, - On a recent walk through a field in Deer Park Mount Merrion, Dublin, I came across a ragworth being eaten by the most beautiful black and orange caterpillars. Some days later I read about these creatures as the pupa of a moth that once controlled the ragwort in Ireland. Fascinated by it all, I returned to the park to see the beginning of a new era perhaps, a natural assault on ragwort. Can you imagine my absolute shock to find the scorched earth policy so loved by some today, with every trace of the caterpillars gone, sprayed out of existence by the park keepers? Yours, etc,
JAMES REDMOND O'HANLON, Braemor Road, Churchtown, Dublin 14.