Madam, - Isn't it ridiculous that in 2005 it seems to be acceptable for the State's fleet of school buses to be allowed to ramble around the roads every day with thousands of school children unrestrained in the back? Surely, even in Irish political circles, there has to be someone who has the authority to insist on the fitting of seatbelts in all school buses.
I would have thought that if the Minister for Education or the Minister for Transport were worth the vast salaries they receive they would immediately bring some form of legislation forward or propose a statutory instrument to deal with the matter. There is a window of opportunity now, with the summer holidays approaching, for all operators of school buses to ensure their vehicles are properly equipped with seatbelts before the start of the new school year in September.
There can be no case made by either politician that it is too costly, or it couldn't be done because the buses are too old, or there are too many of them. None of those arguments add up, whatever way they may be presented. Let the Government find the money for the protection of the safety and wellbeing of the State's children in the same way as they found it for the construction of an equestrian centre, or the acquisition of a new jet or any of the myriad other extravagances they stand accused of over the years.
It is time for any Government Minister worth their salt to stand up and be counted and ensure that whatever steps can reasonably be taken to reduce the possibility of serious injury to our children when being ferried to and from school are now taken. Seatbelts would be a good start. - Yours, etc,
MARK FELTON, Church Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow.