Sir, - Radio scanners costing less than £200 are being used to eavesdrop on Garda messages (The Irish Times, January 7th). Later we hear that Garda radio frequencies are available on the Internet and that it will cost the taxpayer £80 million to update the present radio system.
The question I wish to put to the Minister for Justice and the Garda top brass is this: until the new system is in place, is it not possible that Gaeilge could be used when sensitive information is being dispensed over the present leaking, insecure system?
Almost 30 years ago I sat the Garda entrance exam and was obliged to complete several questions on an Irish paper. I also had to attend an oral Irish examination, so I assume that all gardai have a good knowledge of our first language. But are today's Irish criminals not only stinking rich, but well educated to boot? - Yours, etc., Oliver Ginty,
Floraville Avenue, Dublin 22.