Sir, – I was heartened and relieved to read that the Central Bank may move to a new headquarters which is “exactly the right size and fits our staff numbers well” (Home News, December 14th). I have often felt for them as I passed by their Dame Street building, which must be at least 30 years old. Maybe the ECB, too, labours in such terrible surroundings.
Meanwhile, not too far away from Dame Street, crowded hospitals struggle on in buildings that date from the 18th century. Like those precious warnings appended to financial products, the recent Medical Practitioners’ Act should have included a stern admonition: “failure to maintain competence will result in a considerable improvement to your working environment”. – Yours, etc,