Is it now time to deport the families of Isis terrorists?

A PROACTIVE, rather than reactive mentality, seems to be warranted and justified – needed even – in the fight against Isis and similar organisations.

Yes, it seems we are being forced towards a form of police state, but an ostrich mentality is not an option. Thankfully, it is seldom a garda needs a gun, but when they do, nothing else will suffice.

When we are up against suicide bombers, with a mentality of nothing to lose, and perceived eternal happiness to gain, there is no alternative but to take the fight to these extremists.

If the perpetrators of such non-discriminating murderous deeds are not addressed with a co-ordinated proactive attitude we will forever play catch-up and have unfortunate losses of lives.

When faced with such intolerance from Isis, that results is serious loss of life, action is required.

If, for example, these murderers were to be aware, before they took action, that all of their family they would leave behind if they were killed in the attack, would have all their temporal possessions confiscated and forfeited to the State, and that family members would be deported in their entirety to their original homeland, maybe the attackers might not wish to have such reaction visited upon their own precious loved ones.

It is illogical to be tolerant when the enemy is intolerance itself.

We have come too far in evolution, culture, civilisation and education to step back 600 years.

DAN McCOLGAN, Gorey, Co. Wexford. ...I WISH Leo Varadkar all the best as the new Taoiseach, but following his announcement that he is to form a new anti-terrorism government unit within 50 days of taking up his post, questions have to be asked.

Now, I am not a negative person but I have to ask this, ‘why haven’t we had a government anti-terrorism unit before this?’

Since the Good Friday peace agreement, we have had aggressive dissidents in the North, we have had gangs of thieves terrorising people in rural areas, and now there are thousands of Isis supporters creeping into Europe with the refugees.

What we need is a combined Garda and Army unit which is properly funded, and which is answerable to An Taoiseach and not to a transient minister. Security and intelligence is the forte of the gardaí and the Army, so keep the politicians out of it.

JOHN FAIR, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

Marty on the double

THE achievements of RTÉ’s Marty Morrissey continue to amaze. As well as being a prolific GAA commentator, he presents a number of programmes on radio and TV, and last week he was in full Bloom in the Phoenix Park.

But last Sunday Morrissey’s feat beat all. He was the commentator for the radio coverage of the Clare v Limerick Munster hurling game in Thurles and also described the action in the Meath v Louth Leinster football tie at Dublin’s Parnell Park. This was a remarkable feat of bilocation. Marty is some man for one man – or should that be two men? NOEL COOGAN, Navan, Co. Meath.

Climate change hysteria

CLIMATE change is a fact but the degree of annual climate change is questionable – and the causes are disputed even by scientists, and therefore the threat to humanity on planet Earth is not immediate in the short term. Donald Trump promised to ignore the Paris

What do YOU think?

Accord and, unlike Irish politicians, he kept his word.

Criticised by many, his decision has a degree of logic concerning expenditure. In a pragmatic, simplistic way, this decision puts the interests of America first and gives his jobs strategy impetus. Furthermore, in a world of political turmoil, climate change – while everpresent – is far less serious to Ireland than the immediate problem of Brexit, potentially one of our greatest economic hazards. JOHN P KELLY, Clontarf, Dublin.