Number plate. . . Visitors. . . Tour Diary. . . Blair bill
- THE new Garda number plate recognition system is clearly a useful advance. However, its major flaw is that it cannot identify a number plate copied by a criminal from someone else with tax and insurance.
Number plates are obtainable from casual traders without any questions. Legitimate requirements for replacement plates are relatively rare. Car registration plates should be limited for sale by dealers who are required to see the car's registration and insurance details.
Mark J Towers
Navan, Co Meath
- THE recent CSO figures highlighting a substantial drop in overseas visitors to Ireland are alarming. But Irish people should remember that tourism is an export business: we sell all aspects of Irish culture, heritage and our landscape to an ever-discerning consumer worldwide.
They take a leap of faith and get on an airplane. That's a good deal for Ireland -- for the pubs, the restaurants, the shops and the Irish taxman. So now, more than ever, Irish people should chat to tourists. Talk costs nothing and it's what the visitor remembers.
COLM QUILLIGAN
DUBLIN
- WHAT a pleasure it is to read Nicolas Roche's Tour Diary in the Irish Independent, every day.
Even though I would not be a big cycling fan, it is great to read a top sportsman telling it exactly the way it is. The truth in his diary is not seen anywhere else in any sport. Hope he does not change.
Patrick Troy
Dublin 24
- WHAT will a 'Yes' vote for the Lisbon Treaty give us? The United States of Europe, President Tony Blair, his own private plane, staff of 22 and a stately home befitting his status.
Cost? Well, give or take a euro, €22m per year. Hey maybe Bertie could get a job as his butler.
James Rogers
Rosslare Harbour
