Madam, - I read with interest the report (July 24th) that the Minister for Environment is to offer a €1 million grant to a third-level institution to come up with a formula for non-stick chewing gum. In the light of the defacement of the footpaths and other areas of all of our cities, towns and villages, this is a very interesting project.
Might I suggest, however, that the Minister's intention to offer this project to our excellent third level sector is perhaps not the best use of the funds in question. I would dare to suggest that were he to consult with his own colleagues in the Government and in particular with An Taoiseach, I have no doubt they would be able to come up with a foolproof answer. After all they seem to be able to come up with a means of avoiding anything nasty sticking to them on a miraculously regular basis.
This might also have the added benefit of assisting him in the Government's, so far unsuccessful, attempts to avoid wasting the taxpayer's money. - Yours, etc,
NEIL WALKER, Wood Green, Kilcoolishal, Glanmire, Co Cork.