When the Carlow section of the M9 was finished in December, transport minister Noel Dempsey tried to delay the opening until January (News, 28 February). He gave way after Fine Gael's Paudie Coffey alleged he was bowing to N9 business demands to keep their Christmas trade. Now you accuse Senator Coffey of dual standards, reporting he wanted "significant changes" to the M9 "to facilitate the local businesses" by asking for a slip road at Kilgowan. (News, 28 February). This omits three key points.

First, Coffey campaigns for "rest areas" on motorways, to give tired drivers a break. He has slammed the lack of stop-off points on Ireland's 300km motorway network as a safety hazard. Second, Kilgowan is in Kildare, 100km north of Coffey's Waterford political base. Third, he proposed not "significant changes" but one extra access point costing €250,000. Kilgowan was to be the site of now-axed M-way services. The M9 and N9 run close here and it is the logical last point for a break before hitting the M50. No Déise businesses will benefit if drivers turn off for a comfort stop in Kildare. Paudie Coffey deserves credit for fighting a road safety issue, and that's why 17 TDs and Senators from four parties backed his call.

Ged Martin

Shanacoole,

Youghal, Co Cork