Sir, - Health and sport are close relations, mostly to their mutual benefit. A bad common relation is money, or rather the perceived lack of it.
The Lotto is a powerful source of money, but - while it thrives by combining small contributions to generate income of €538 million each year, it then dilutes the power of the €175.8 million profit by dribbling out this money to every Tom, Dick and Harry.
Why not let a 10 year moratorium be called on this drip-feeding? Dedicate five years' profit to health and five years to sport in the form of Campus Ireland. The present profit generated, allowing for inflation, would give €1 billion to each. The following five years' revenue could be dedicated to the arts.
Pressure on politicians for "money from the Lotto" would cease, leaving them free to get on with the work for which they were elected. - Yours, etc.,
P. J. McGARRY,
Newpark Road,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.