High cost of eating out

Madam, - David Barry writes a good letter (June 25th) about the costs of running a restaurant in Dublin.

I wonder what he would think of charges incurred by me at a restaurant just around the corner from his at lunchtime today? One litre of Tipperary water (sparkling, like the price): €6.50. One small coffee, black: €3.75.

I was the host; I did not make a fuss. I gasped later in a quiet corner and decided not to go back. In central Madrid three weeks ago I paid €1 for better coffee.

A chainsaw has been taken to the goose in this country. - Yours, etc.,

P.D. DOYLE, Summerville, Clontarf Road, Dublin 3.