ROBERT CARROLL,
Sir, - It was reported recently that 8,000 to 10,000 jobs were lost in the tourist sector over the past year, many of them as a result of the foot-and-mouth crisis. In return for the sense of solidarity shown towards the farming community last year, I suggest that the farming organisations encourage their members to take their holidays in Ireland this year. (And yes, farmers do take holidays: I met a few in Lanzarote last week.) - Yours, etc.,
ROBERT CARROLL, Kenilworth Park, Dublin 6W.