Madam, - Picture the scene. A part of the roof blows off Croke Park in a freak storm, the media mention it briefly and then the issue falls out of the national conscience. Three months later the stadium remains unrepaired, with no contractor being assigned to it. The All-Ireland football and hurling championships are cancelled, U2's concerts are cancelled and the GAA struggles to schedule games elsewhere. Nobody knows when the stadium will reopen.
Ridiculous, you say. The Government would intervene, the taxpayer who has paid so much towards the construction would demand it be repaired. The media would be up in arms and the issue would be debated in the Dáil.
Yet this is exactly the situation that exists with the National Aquatic Centre in Blanchardstown. Since the centre was damaged by storm in December all water sports have been hard hit. Major galas are to be cancelled and our own water polo national leagues have been suspended. Yet the information vacuum continues. €60 million of State money - taxpayers money - built this centre. Can someone please confirm when it will be fully operational again? - Yours, etc.,
COLIN MORRISSEY,
PRO, Irish Water
Polo Association,
Kilworth Road,
Dublin 12.