Sir, – Colm Ó hAnluain bemoans the fact that we use both metric and imperial measurement systems. I have always believed that both could be used side by side. All official documents and signage are in Irish and English, so I see no reason why both measurement systems could not be used side by side by officialdom and be taught in schools.
I get the impression that the change to metric had more to do with us showing off our pro-European credentials than any practical applications.
As for being “serious about becoming a knowledge-based, smart economy, engaging in scientific and engineering research”, I think it is fair to say that having the imperial system has not held back the world leader in this area, the United States. – Yours, etc,