Sir, - Why don't we take this golden opportunity to honour posthumously one who is, arguably, the greatest of Irish heroes - the tragically assassinated Michael Collins? We can do this by proxy if we elect his grand-niece, Mary Banotti. I believe the world would recognise and applaud such a gesture.
In her own right Ms Banotti has all the qualifications. She is dignified, caring, articulate, politically experienced and is highly respected in Europe and further afield. And ... she lives and breathes in our Republic. She is one of our own! - Yours, etc.,
Maire Fox,
Laytown, Co Meath.