Sir, - Is there nobody who can persuade Bertie Ahern and his Ministers McCreevy and McDaid that his monument will not be known as "Bertie's Bowl", but much more likely "Bertie's Folly" - probably "Bertie's Ruined Folly", as it disintegrates in future years.
The cost to the taxpayers is rising every week - from £247 million up to the latest forecast of £1 billion. And that's only for building the thing. After that there have to be access roads, rail links, parking lots - things we need elsewhere in the country, but nobody listens. And nobody has indicated the running costs of this white elephant in future years - nor is there any indication where the money will come from, apart from further depriving health, education and social services of badly needed resources.
Our children and grandchildren will live to curse those responsible for such a burden - that is, if it is still operating at all. (Mr McCreevy has already informed Brussels that our days of super-spending are virtually over, because he will not have the excess finance in the next year.)
Incidentally, if the GAA is being paid handsomely to play games at Abbotstown, why do they need £60 million for Croke Park?
Please, will no-one see sense? - Yours, etc.,
M. G. Gargan, Rowan Hall, Milltown, Dublin 6.