Brexit debate a wake-up call for all Europeans

The upcoming referendum in Britain is a wake-up call to all Europeans to note how their countries are governed and to move to drastically change the way decisions are made.

Whatever the outcome of the British referendum, the days of centralised politics and decisionmaking in Europe are over and this will lead to more countries wanting to leave the EU.

Only with democratic decisionmaking and dispersed inclusivity will the people of Europe have an input to the policies that will affect their lives. Europe must decentralise to ensure peace and unity within its boundaries. Liam Ó Conaire, Bruff, Co.Limerick.

Don’t stand for it

Here we go again, rip-off Ireland: we have standing charges for our electricity supply we have standing charges for our gas supply and our water supply and now we have a standing charge on our bins collection.

Why should we pay standing charges? We do not pay standing charges to our local supermarket or to our local pub or post office so why pay them to these companies that we must buy from? A. Lafford, Dublin 11

TDs paid to travel

When addressing his travel and accommodation expenses, TD Thomas Byrne said (MoS, June 12): ‘I will comply in full with whatever expenses regime the Oireachtas introduces.’

Bernard Durkan said: ‘I don’t look for special arrangements. Whatever the band is, I didn’t set the band. It’s not my manufacture.’

Fiona O’Loughlin said she would comply with whatever expenses regime is in place.

Given that they are all members of the Oireachtas and the Oireachtas sets its own terms and conditions, this is no excuse. And Deputy Durkan, like all other members of the Oireachtas, is indeed subject to a ‘special arrangement’ because, unlike his constituents, he gets a taxfree allowance from the State for attending work.

All elected politicians are employees of the taxpayer and these statements – which I am sure are views generally shared by their co-legislators – show how out of touch with reality our elected members really are. Tom Burke, Clonsilla, Dublin 15.

L and N plates

The practice of posting ‘L’ and ‘N’ at the same time on vehicles should be completely outlawed. It creates great confusion for other drivers who are unsure of the skill level of the driver displaying both together.

It may also be the case that ‘L’ drivers are trying to avoid getting detected without a full driver to supervise them. The posting of both plates on front and rear windows or bumpers makes a nonsense out of the idea that drivers can make allowances for those who are learning or freshly qualified.

It’s time for the Road Safety Authority and gardaí to stop the rot if they are serious about making the roads safer. Maurice Fitzgerald, Co. Cork.

Back-door flaw

Last Sunday’s result in Thurles again highlights a major flaw in the back-door system.

For example, if Tipperary are to win this year’s Sam Maguire, they would now have to beat Kerry at least once and maybe Cork again and that is just the teams in Munster.

Can anyone explain how this helps the weaker counties?

R. Lillis, Mallow, Co. Cork.

Why we lost

Belgium was tenacious, Ireland was tentative .... being tenacious wins!

Kevin Devitte, Westport, Co. Mayo.

Bob’s new tune

Boomtown Rat Bob Geldof took to the Thames this week to support the campaign for Britain to remain in the EU. Captain Bob’s stance is to be admired as his career as a singer-songwriter has been sunk for many years, with living on past glories and talking bilge his usual port of call. Vincent O’Connell, Co. Wexford.

Wine ‘drivel’

I refer to Tom Doorley’s article on pink wines (MoS, June 12)

I have never read such pompous drivel about wine. I am delighted with his assessment of his selection of wine as it proves to me that he has less an appreciation of wine than he has of food – which is zilch. Stick to growing vegetables, Tom, one day you may be successful at that.

I suggest he research the article about the Judgment of Paris, 1976, where the French wines were wiped out in blind tastings by American wines.

Leave the appreciation of wine to the consumer who knows what their individual palette likes. Michael Murphy, Co. Cork.

State milking it

Government economics – you have two cows, the Government takes both, hires you to take care of them and sells you your milk back.

Anthony Woods, Ennis, Co. Clare.