Madam, - I feel compelled to take issue with the view of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue that "rip-off Ireland" is a myth. I fully agree that we all have a collective responsibility to promote the best of Irish at home and abroad. However, the regrettable reality is that Ireland already has the highest prices in the euro-zone for food, non-alcoholic beverages, tobacco and housing rents and the second highest prices for alcoholic beverages, restaurants and pubs - not to mention house price levels between 10 and 20 per cent above values justified by factors such as growth and low interest rates.
Perhaps the Minister should re-read recent economic reports including the National Competitiveness Council's statement on inflation and the international monetary fund's analysis of property prices both published last September and the European Union's report entitled "The Social Situation in the European Union", published on October 1st which found that Ireland is among the European Union member-states with the greatest gap between rich and poor.
In view of all the evidence to date it appears that "rip-off Ireland" is very definitely not a myth and risks endangering Irish tourism and the economy in increasingly competitive markets. - Yours, etc.,
PETER GAUGHAN, Monkstown, Co Dublin.