Sir, - What, may I ask, would be the long term future for the Elgin Marbles if they were to be returned to Greece, as suggested in Patrick Comerford's piece, "Elgin Marbles may see the blue skies of Athens after 200 years" (Irish Times, June 18th)?
It is one of the ironies of caring for priceless historical or archaeological treasures that some of those countries which are richest in artefacts, manuscripts and monuments (like ourselves and Greece) are poorest in resources to adequately maintain them.
If we were burdened with the financial cost, including the provision of adequate space for housing priceless manuscripts, of maintaining the many libraries overseas which contain works of direct relevance to Irish history in the early medieval period, we wouldn't have the least chance of being able to maintain them to the professional standard required by scholars.
Luckily we have countries like Germany and Switzerland who are willing to bear that cost for us.
Whatever one says, the Elgin Marbles have been reasonably cared for as long as they have been in Britain - will Greece be able to provide for them in like manner? - Yours, etc
St Columba's Lodge, off Church Avenue,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.