Road lobby view treated like a papal edict

YOU report (December 14) that, according Conor Faughnan of the AA, barrier-free tolling is “absolutely scandalous” and “borders on immoral”. What I find absolutely scandalous is that the rantings of this professional lobbyist are treated by the media with the reverence of a sort of papal edict.

The AA is a breakdown organisation; it does not represent motorists.

Mr Faughan is a professional spindoctor for the road lobby — road-builders, motor manufacturers, etc — which, over the years, has been so successful in using the media to broadcast their propaganda that they have become the received wisdom of the Irish people.

If the AA wants to publicise its views it should be in a paid advert or the letters page.

Alternatively, a balancing view should be sought from an environmental organisation.

Michael Job

Rossnagrena

Glengarriff

Co Cork