Sir, - Well done to Eimear Quinn, Brendan Graham and everyone else involved.
It has, however, over the past few weeks, been a major and constant embarrassment to listen to the constant bleating from our national TV station, RTE, regarding the prospect of again facing the costs involved in holding Eurovision next year. On Saturday night that prospect became a reality.
RTE is a State sponsored body, yet the entire population of Europe has once again been treated to the almost, it seems, annual question from Ireland: "Can we afford to hold this event?" Have we no pride?
For goodness sake, look at the big picture. This event has thousands of people pouring into Dublin spending like fury. The contest, with its continued massive TV audience, is the greatest possible "free advert" for Ireland and its tourism industry and . . . remember Riverdance and all that has achieved since its first showing.
Hold your head high Ireland (and RTE) . . . we should be proud of our achievement and firmly grasp the opportunities it provides. - Yours, etc.,
The Sweepstakes,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4.