Madam, - A headline on your front page last Friday, "McCreevy acts to protect taxpayers on project costs", whatever the context, is risible given the disgrace which is the 100 per cent public funding of the private event centre at Punchestown racecourse.
However worthy a project, we must have order, a fair process and the following of regulation within Government so as to deliver that overused but still worthy concept "real value for money".
Taxpayers and citizens would thus be guaranteed stability in their State's institutions and accountability for the hard earned product of their labours.
The Public Accounts Committee, and particularly Michael Noonan TD, are right to question the absence of matching funding or seed capital being sought from the promoters. This is a very bad deal for the public.
Far from protecting taxpayers, the Minister for Finance has given them a black eye with the long handle of Kildare parish pump politics. - Yours etc.,
SEAN McKIERNAN, Jnr,,
Virginia Road,
Bailieborough,
Co Cavan.
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Madam, - In light of recent reports, perhaps the Cork School of Music would consider relocating to Punchestown. - Yours, etc.,
SEAN SHORTALL,
Greenfields Court,
Freshford Road,
Kilkenny.