IN HIS column of 1 April, Richard Delevan proposes that he might stand for the Seanad.

Despite the tongue-in-cheek tone of the piece, it raised some serious issues about reform of that institution.

However, the question arises, do we need to have a Senate at all? Most smaller countries manage perfectly well without having a second chamber of parliament.

Examples of unicameral legislatures include those of Israel, New Zealand, Portugal, Greece and most of the Scandinavian countries.

Norway has an efficient hybrid system, where they elect a single assembly of 165 members, which on convening divides itself into upper and lower houses. Two for the price of one, you might say.

A famous historical comment once made in France on the question of the desirability of having a bicameral parliament went, "If the second chamber agrees with the first it is superfluous:

if it disagrees it is mischievous."

And while there are certain arguments in favour of having an upper chamber of parliament, particularly in large countries and states comprising different nationalities, surely it is a gross extravagance in our small unitary state?

While the saving might not be significant in terms of gross national product, it would set an example of streamlining such as that set by Sweden and New Zealand when they abolished their upper houses.

This is not to depreciate the fine work of some of our senators, but to adapt an aphorism, perhaps apposite in this instance, "Hard cases make bad laws."

406 Mourne Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12.

Bertie has de"ed political wisdom

BERTIE AHERN defied decades of accepted political wisdom in waiting the full five years before calling the last election in 2002. Knowing the attendant dangers of being boxed into a corner, the Taoiseach, in the end, walked on water (if I may mix the metaphor).

This time out, it's beginning to look like he will be knee-deep in his own miscalculation.

32, Marley Avenue, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

Rabbitte's comments on Ogle appalling

AS A member of the Labour party, I was appalled by comments made by Labour leader Pat Rabbitte in the article headed "Rabbitte attacks union boss Ogle."

(News, 26 March).

Rabbitte's attack was based on a misinterpretation of the position of Brendan Ogle and the ATGWU. It is simply not credible for Rabbitte to present Ogle as an unreasonable and extreme figure, out to cause industrial chaos, when the threat of industrial action was raised by all six unions representing workers at the ESB.

It is often commented that the great anomaly with regard to the Irish Labour party is that it does not get the support of the majority of trade union members at election time. This is unlikely to change if the attitude shown by the Labour leader to the ATGWU in your article is anything to go by.

Pat Rabbitte mentioned in the piece that Labour was against the proposed break-up of the ESB. Rabbitte ought to concentrate his energies on backing the position of the unions and the Labour spokesperson on Natural Resources, Tommy Broughan TD, to ensure that the government's plans, which are damaging to the public interest, are defeated.

As in all cases, Unity in the Labour movement is required if the destruction of our public services is to be halted for once and for all.

So in summary, Pat Rabbitte ought to spend less time attacking members of the labour movement, and more time attacking the government.

37 Marsham Court, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.

Seeking all budding young explorers

HOW many budding young explorers do you know? If it's your son, daughter, next-door neighbour, friend of a friend who is aged 18-23, then they may be interested in an expedition which is happening at the end of the year in the Antarctic region.

The BSES are calling for 12 lucky explorers to take part in their unique research and scientific trip of a lifetime on board HMS Endurance, visiting the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.

Prospective applicants should email info@bses. org. uk or visit www. bses. org. uk for more information.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend an informal interview held locally. This will be followed by a selection weekend on 5 and 6 May.

The expedition offers a unique opportunity for those whose dream it is to see remote parts of the world or who have an interest in science research.

YES Consultancy Ltd, Regent House, 24 Nutford Place, London W1H 5YN.

Premium prices for taking risks in the air

I CAN understand paying an on-line premium for a select seat at a theatre, but for a position on a vehicle that could plunge out of the air at any moment?

Caldra House, Caldragh, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.

Making friends with unionist neighbours

AFTER being at each other's throats for the past 400 years it is truly a time to rejoice at seeing hardcore nationalist and unionist leaders talk to each other as equals for the first time.

The significance of this event for peace and stability on this island cannot be overstated.

My only fear is that we nationalists might screw it all up by banging on about a united Ireland.

We must now resist our primeval urge to recapture ancient tribal territory and concentrate all our energies on making friends with our unionist neighbours.

35, Silchester Park, Glenageary, Co Dublin.

'Scurrilous' remarks about Pope Benedict

I REFER to the article by Eithne Tynan (Comment, 1 April) in which she castigates Pope Benedict XVI in a manner which this reader considers scurrilous.

By referring to the pope by his surname and an insulting and scornful other term, to his "apparently castigating European women for not having enough babies", to the use of the offensive term "papal bull", by suggesting that it doesn't matter what he says (! ), by stating that he insulted Mohammed (which is untrue), and to sink so low as to include a reference to the Hitler Youth (which is beneath contempt . . .

all are highly offensive not only to the pope but also to Catholic readers of your paper and, indeed, members of other Christian churches who believe in hell, a reference to which is found in the Bible, and belief in which is not confined to Christians.

Both the author and you as editor owe an apology for an article which displays little understanding of the right to disagree without being disagreeable, and an insult to fair-minded journalists as well, of course to Pope Benedict and Catholics who try to live their lives as best they can as disciples of Jesus and the God who, as Pope Benedict reminds us, is LOVE.

Oatlands House, Woodlands Avenue, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.