Sir, – Debra James (May 12th) informs us that one night spent in the hotel at London's Shard building (£14,000) is the equivalent to the amount of money that half of the world's population live on for 26 years .
I am not sure what conclusion we are expected to draw from these facts.
I am reminded somewhat of the loathing that existed for the owners of big houses who nevertheless provided employment the length and breadth of the country.
When they were successfully expelled, the call went out for factories to be provided for the unemployed in the distressed areas.
Such factories, had they been built to any extent, would probably have offered conditions that were worse than those in the big houses. Of course, the Irish solution to the problem was emigration.
A night at the Shard results in money trickling down to caterers, cleaning staff, manufacturers, food suppliers, etc, and helps to create employment in all these sectors.
On the basis that a fool and his money are soon parted, I can only encourage more visitors to avail of these bargain Shard rates whilst they are still available. – Yours, etc,
KEVIN O’SULLIVAN,
Ballyraine Park
Letterkenny
Co Donegal.