Preparing for the elections

Madam, – To any Irish citizen considering refraining from voting on June 5th, spare a thought for Aung San Suu Kyi who has suffered…

Madam, – To any Irish citizen considering refraining from voting on June 5th, spare a thought for Aung San Suu Kyi who has suffered personal humiliation and long-term imprisonment for her own right and that of her fellow citizens to have the democratic rights that every citizen of Ireland enjoys without fear or favour. – Yours, etc,

DECLAN FOLEY,

Samuel Close,

Berwick,

Australia.

Madam, – Given that gobbledegook is the common language of EU politics I think Dustin the Turkey, as a native speaker, is a natural candidate. – Yours, etc,

PATRICIA CASEY,

Ballinclea Heights,

Killiney,

Co Dublin.

Madam, – Vincent Browne (Opinion, May 13th) states: “there is no point in voting on June 5th”. I wonder if Mr Browne is aware that there are two ways of transferring or gaining political power and they are the bullet or the ballot?  What a disgraceful comment coming from a person who has guaranteed access to the air waves and the print media. – Yours, etc,

VINCENT J LAVERY,

Coliemore Road,

Dalkey, Co Dublin.

Madam, – We should devise a test for local councillors who are at our doors, seeking re-election.

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Each council area has some amenity project where great community gain can be made if the councillors take the right steps.

It has, for example, long been the aim of the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council to secure the hilltops at Killiney, Dalkey and Rochestown as a public amenity area. This objective is part of the County Development Plan.

Now is the time to make the necessary Special Amenity Area Order. Fingal has already done this for the Howth peninsula and Wicklow recently did the same for Bray Head.

Any candidate knocking on my door will be asked what steps he/she has taken to make this Special Amenity Area Order. – Yours, etc,

CELINE REILLY,

Clonskeagh,

Dublin 14.