Sir, I refer to Mr Graham's letter of January 4th. Unfortunately, I did not read his earlier letter. However, in solidarity with his sentiments I make the following comments.
In ancient times, the peoples of our neighbouring island were subject to marauding raiding parties from Ireland, and indeed some of them were enslaved in this country. To solve our national conscience, I believe that henceforth RTE weather forecasters should desist from using the explosive term "Irish Sea" for the water that separated our islands suggest the following term that just rolls off the tongue "the sea between Ireland and England Wales and Scotland, containing the Isle of Man".
Mr Graham's contention that the term `British Isles' should become "British and Irish Isles still contains the denigrating term "British". I believe that weather to castes around the world should use the description the Isles constituting Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man". Of course, to ensure equity the order of the countries should be changed after each use.
In the continuing fight against intellectual colonialism, broadcasts of the BBC and ITV should be banned in Ireland. Perhaps there are some out of work technicians in the former Soviet Union who may be of use in advising on jamming such broadcasts. Our poor, suffering people may then enjoy all the home produced programmes on our politically correct RTE. Yours, etc., Brookville Road, Fulham, London SW6 7BH.
PS. If Mr Graham wishes to know what the weather is going to be like in Dublin, wouldn't he be better off watching RTE anyway? I find that the BBC and ITV don't cover the weather in the Republic.