A chara, - At a time of difficulty for the tourism industry it is important that we all play our part in supporting a valuable national interest. For those of us not actually involved in the industry, support should at least include extending a genuine "céad míle fáilte" to all tourists we meet.
Most accept that, given a dash of sunshine, the landscape is our best asset. So, we should all take care to show our individual properties in a favourable light, and not to hesitate to splash on the paint, where appropriate. There is no longer any excuse for tolerating old derelict sites such as that rusting skeleton of a customs post on the road to Aughnacloy. Such signs of dereliction form lasting negative impressions of the island, and must be eliminated.
And there is a lot we can do about our own presentation, especially us men. In the modern world where appearance is all, we must unburden ourselves of old attitudes of what real manliness means. During the tourist season, at least, we should follow our Taoiseach's heroic initiative of looking good for Ireland, and not be afraid to slap on a bit of powder and lipstick. After all, what male citizen of this sceptred isle knows when a tourist might wish to take his photograph as an example of modern Irish manhood?
Of course, the make-up - powder and lipstick should be sufficient for all but the very wizened face - should be supplied by the Government, which could also arrange short FÁS courses to train suitable males as make-over artists. It is my personal conviction that during the normal tourist season bald men should not be allowed to appear in public, unless wearing a traditional Irish tweed cap or an appropriate wig.
Enforcement of this rule, as well as the obligation for Irish men to wear make-up, would naturally, fall to the Equality Agency.
True equality, and the tourism industry, demands that we men accept the duty of looking good for Ireland. It would be most unfair to leave it to the women and An Taoiseach! - Is mise,
LIAM Ó GÉIBHEANNAIGH,
Áth an Ghainimh,
Co Átha Cliath.