ALAN LAWLOR,
Sir, - It was with great dismay that I read about the cancellation of plans for Stadium Ireland. As well as putting paid to our bid to host one of the world's largest sporting festivals, it has given a kick in the teeth to a huge number of Irish sportsmen and women, present and future.
I cannot help feeling that the demise of the "Bertie Bowl" has been the result of significant chicanery, pork-belly politics and small-mindedness by a number of parties. I fail to understand why an organisation that will not open its doors to all sports was given money by all of the taxpayers of this country, resulting in the IRFU and FAI playing in the worst primary stadium for these sports I have ever seen. This is very shoddy treatment of the two organisations which to date have co-operated with the Government.
Perhaps it is time for the IRFU and FAI to engage in the perverse form of thinking which seems to get people places in this country. I suggest that the IRFU forbid any other sport than rugby to be played in Lansdowne Road. Judging by past experience, this should attract massive funding for redevelopment.
At the same time, it might embarrass the Government into doing something when it sees our home soccer internationals being played in a largely empty stadium in the Republic (due to lack of seating capacity) - or perhaps in an all-seated stadium at Windsor Park? - Yours, etc.
ALAN LAWLOR,
Donnybrook,
Dublin 4.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - Looking at a map of Dublin, I notice that a stadium the size of Croke Park could fit about four times over inside the proposed new landfill area in Dublin Bay. If this landfill goes ahead, perhaps the Dublin Port Company could help bring the European Championships 2008 to Ireland by providing some of the spare land it already has for the much needed new soccer stadium. - Yours, etc.,
SEAN O'BRIEN,
Carnanes South,
Kilrush,
Co Clare.