Madam, – So, on his last full day in Dáil Éireann, Bertie Ahern has nothing better to do with his time than lament that his Ceausescu-like Bertie Bowl was never built (Home News, January 28th).
Greater Dublin, with a population of just over one million (and falling every day due to the consequences of Mr Ahern’s policies) has two major sporting venues, Croke Park and Lansdowne Road/Aviva, with a combined capacity of about 130,000.
Greater Manchester, a city Mr Ahern knows well, has a population of more than 2,600,000. It also has two fine sporting venues – the homes of his beloved Manchester United and their rivals Manchester City – but with a combined capacity of less than 125,000.
Even taking account of the rest of the shrinking population of Ireland, it is beyond belief that Mr Ahern continues to delude himself that the country ever needed a third world-class venue. I suppose we owe a debt of gratitude to his former Cabinet colleagues for a rare display of courage in voting down the idea. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I heard Bertie Ahern again defend his role in the banking crisis, saying in effect how we’re all wiser after the event. Even with the benefit of hindsight and the Honohan report, poor Bertie is still none the wiser. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Bertie Ahern regrets that the sports stadium he wanted to build never got the go-ahead as it would have been a legacy to his leadership of our country. I do not think Mr Ahern need worry about leaving a legacy, all we need do is look at our destroyed economy and ruined banking sector to see the legacy that he left after him. Mr Ahern can trust me when I say he will be remembered – and for all the right reasons. – Yours, etc,
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