Madam, - Further to Frank McNally's strictures on Dublin City Council's equanimity in the face of the pervasive pavement soiling that is part of our tradition (Irishman's Diary, June 22nd), the new Minister for the Environment could make a real difference to our street experience if he reversed his predecessor's decision and imposed a levy on sales of chewing gum.
While realpolitik might make ministers powerless to stop the controversial traffic through Shannon Airport or to protect Ireland's heritage in Tara, they might at least stand up to the masticatory multinationals whose products produce persistent pollution of our pavements. - Yours, etc,
HUGO BRADY BROWN,
Stratford-on-Slaney,
Co Wicklow.