Sir, - In 1977, as Taoiseach, Mr Jack Lynch performed the opening ceremony at a major business premises. At a function afterwards, the chairman of the company presented him with a gift: a video recorder. A week later, he returned it with a thank-you note saying he had not realised how much it might have cost, and could not accept such a gift. He was not guided by any rules - just standards. - Yours etc., Tom Grealy,
Threadneedle Road, Salthill, Galway.