Sir, The Internet opens many possibilities for exploring new aspects of information. In that connection I have a couple of queries. According to my on-line research, Ms Patricia McKenna MEP has been quoted or cited in your newspaper on 176 occasions since January 1st, 1995. This number excludes references based upon the Supreme Court case of the same name. It is nearly twice the profile of her Dublin constituency rival, Ms Bernie Malone MEP, who has clocked up just 91 mentions in your newspaper over the same period.
Ms Nuala Ahern MEP and Ms Mary Banotti MEP are neck and neck at 76 and 78 citations respectively. By contrast, Messrs Collins, Ellis, Fitzsimons, Gallagher, Hyland, Killilea and McCartan - MEPs all - each barely makes it into double digits over the same period. This raises some interesting questions.
Firstly, how is it that Ms McKenna's views are deemed more newsworthy than those of all of her Irish colleagues in the European Parliament? Is it because she is more successful in pressing her views upon your newspaper's correspondents, or is it that in your editorial judgement what she says is simply more interesting and/or more valuable than the others?
Secondly, is there any particular reason why the four Dublin MEPs (representing one-third of the State's population) account for just under 61 per cent of all Irish Times references to MEPs elected in this State? Does the editorial sight of The Irish Times not extend beyond the three Dublin counties or do our non-Dublin MEPs save their press-release fire for other organs which they believe are more widely read then The Irish Times?
Finally, what about the gender balance in your newspaper? Four female MEPs account for just under 64 per cent of all references to the IS MEPs elected by citizens of this republic. Perhaps we should discuss gender quotas. Comment, please. - Yours, etc.,
North Great Georges Street,
Dublin 1.