Sir, - In contrast to the ever-increasing employment brought about by the Celtic Tiger, or perhaps because of that strange beast, I am selfishly concerned that my own employment in the tourist sector is under threat.
Much has been written in your columns about the friendly Irish being a vanishing breed, displaced by the emergence of the surly Irish, the vulgar Irish, the even dirtier Irish, the lawless Irish, who seem set to destroy the tourist industry. With job vacancies in excess of applicants, why bother to be pleasant to visitors? Litter, lawlessness and language (obscene) are the images we generate: and we seem unable to grasp the contention of Mr Tom Cavanagh of IBAL that it makes sound commercial sense to clean up our litter and to implement our laws.
Last August I was with a group of visitors from Germany, Switzerland and Austria: I looked forward to letting them enjoy the magnificent scenery at Ladies' View in the Killarney National Park (where all camping and overnight parking is prohibited). Imagine my embarrassment when I found that our access was blocked by half a dozen Travellers' vehicles, the protective boulders having been hauled aside. Imagine too, the litter and debris including old mattresses - some Ladies' View!
My clients were astonished: "Isn't this State property?" they asked. I acknowledged that it was: "And the State allows this?" I had no answer. Two weeks later the same vehicles and the same detritus were still there.
Kerry County Council informed me that their hands were tied, having experienced some adverse judicial decisions when resorting to the Courts on previous occasions. To me it seems clear that the Garda should have powers to remove such vehicles immediately.
Perhaps those of your readers who are members of the settled community, and who have caravans, might be persuaded to attempt to spend their summer holidays parked free of charge at Ladies' View. It should be an interesting experiment. - Yours, etc.,
John McGeorge, Doonbeg, Co Clare.