Let’s have a spokesperson to stand up for the provinces

THE present political system is too centralised, and not working for the majority of the people of Ireland, and the respective TDs are treated as just voting fodder for a centralised cabinet.

In view of this scenario, wouldn’t it be more credible to have an elected provincial spokesperson who would transcend all politics and have powers to speak on behalf of the particular province?

This would only need four individuals, one for each province, and could replace, the present system of TDs.

They could engage with each other on behalf of their respective province, and they could represent elected area deputies, who would represent the local areas.

This system would reflect a more inclusive, and collective political system, without the density of Dáil Deputies that we now have to support. The present system is too narrow in its structure, and confines politics to one city in Ireland, namely Dublin.

The problem with this system, is that if you live in your neighbour’s house, your own becomes neglected.

This is what is happening. Our TD sb eco me immersed and coerced into Dublin issues, and interests, and become enmeshed in local Dublin politics and Dáil soap operas.

The political system needs to be broadened to a more inclusive and expansive system. LIAM Ó CONAIRE, Bruff, Co. Limerick.

Tackle the bail bandits

I READ in the Mail of yet another raid on a vulnerable family.

In the article, it mentions that Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald last week brought to the Dáil her Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings Bill) which is aimed at targeting repeat burglary offenders through bail measures.

Bail, though, is not the answer, they shouldn’t be allowed bail in the first instance, and bail should only be allowed with the permission of the Garda Superintendent, who would be more aware of the capabilities of the offenders as he lives in the real world.

If a potential sentence of life imprisonment, without parole, was one of the options available to a judge, you would find that there would not be many more robberies.

The Government and the Judiciary must start living in the real world.

Bail creates a huge amount of work for our severely overstretched, over- worked, and undermanned gardaí, who already have more than enough on their plate.

Longer sentences might not be the complete answer, but at least while these people are behind bars they are kept out of mischief.

The fact that these people get free legal aid encourages the thugs on... they have nothing to lose.

If they had to pay for their own defence they would think twice about their actions, so stop free legal aid.

JOHN FAIR, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

Cost of Garda cutbacks

THE shortage of gardaí in our Garda stations and on the streets, leaving gardaí to face dangerous situations, like the one Garda Golden had to attend to on his own, is a direct result of Enda Kenny and this government cutting resources and closing Garda stations. NAME AND ADDRESS

SUPPLIED.

Support women’s soccer

IT seems that once again it has gone under the radar that the Continental Tyres Women’s National League has kicked off its new season.

Having scanned the sports pages of all the national papers on Monday, October 12th, I failed to find one of them even carrying the results of any of the women’s games.

This is a senior National League and, in my opinion, not an insignificant league as the winners go on to compete in the Champions League.

I was in Jackson Park a couple of weeks ago attending the quarterfinals of the Women’s FAI Senior cup between UCD Waves and Wexford Youths Women.

There I witnessed one of the finest games of soccer I have seen in a long time with some terrific soccer being played by both sides.

There is a wealth of talent in this league and the commitment shown by the players has improved the overall quality of the women’s game in this country. EDDIE CULLEN,

Wexford.