SHANE Coleman's article in last week's edition regarding "bigger issues for our national parliament to address. . ." raises critical questions for each and every family.

The new cancer strategy is presently on the Tanaiste's table. It is vital that it is rolled out in the shortest possible time frame, given that the doubling of our cancer statistics will be achieved by 2015.

Each and every family will require their regional cancer service. Questions such as whether a proper funding package will be given to the development of the new cancer strategy, given that all our chemotherapy facilities are running at full or over capacity, requires a real sense of urgency at Dail level. Indeed, the job for the media regarding highlighting all the political parties' "position" on the funding of the new cancer strategy, and the importance of its immediate roll out, begs to be raised.

Jane Bailey 3to1@o2. ie Cancer Care Alliance.

People ignored for party politics

SHANE Coleman's column (Sunday Tribune, 12 February) was an incisive analysis of the Irish political system and the malaise affecting it.

He aptly criticises how the common good and national interests are sacrificed because of blatant political expediency in placating narrow vested interests.

Governments should not delay in implementing

EU laws until there are European Court actions and threats of fines. Why placate the declining farming lobby at the expense of good government and the environment?

Shane Coleman considers that nobody in the Dail acts on behalf of the average punter. But there are pensive punters who reflect on faults in the system. Such people are alienated by populist party politics. Consequently, democracy is damaged.

Tony Quinn, Dalkey, Co Dublin.

If not in a trade union, why not?

SHANE Coleman asks in today's (12 February) Tribune: "Who, in the Dail, is acting on behalf of the average punter", whom he defines as "the person who is not in the public sector or a strong union or working in an industry with a strong lobby group". I would want to ask such a person this: if he or she is not in a strong union, then why not? Should we not stop pretending, as Shane seems to do, that there is something laudable about working people not being involved in collective action in defence of their own class interests?

Richard Barrett, The Turrets, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6.

Franno's criticism of Bowe, Clarke

WHILST I may not always agree with . . . or understand . . . Franno's articles over my Sunday morning coffee, I have to say I have always found them informative, interesting and sometimes funny. The same could be said for last Sunday's piece on Ireland's game with France . . . except for when I came to the players' ratings.

I know journalism, in particular sports journalism, has become very competitive and all the scribes are looking for ways of expressing their views.

It is sad, however, when one has to go so low as Franno did when commenting on Tommy Bowe, and more importantly on his and my former teammate, Jack Clarke.

Franno often takes a critical dislike to a player and the way they perform.

That is his job and his right as a journalist. His way of expressing this, however, has left a lot to be desired.

Franno never took too kindly himself to personal criticism during his playing days. His comments on Jack were low and surely hurtful to him and his family.

His attack on Tommy Bowe was wrong, but at least young Bowe may get an opportunity to prove his critics wrong and he is getting paid to deal with this type of criticism. Jack, on the other hand, has moved on in his life and in no way deserves this type of treatment.

If this was an isolated case one could maybe excuse Franno on the basis of a bad call, but I seem to recall him blaming Jack Clarke for Ireland's loss to Australia in 1991. Now whether Franno really believes that or not, surely it is time move on.

Neil Francis knows well what it is like to play a poor game for Ireland, as I do.

The last thing someone needs to read the following morning is a fellow player sticking in the knife. BUT 15 YEARS LATER?

Come on Franno, give Jack a break. You got your fair share over the years.

Noel Mannion, team mate of Franno and Jack (proudly) late 1980s/early1990s