THOMAS J. HANNON,
Sir, - Flooding the country with Guinness-logo Tricolours before last June's World Cup was seen by many as a desecration of the national flag and, thereby, an insult to citizens. Subsequent explanations and apologies from Guinness were awkwardly embarrassing.
So, to avoid further embarrassment, might I now, in good time, remind Guinness, with regard to its sponsorship of the All-Ireland Hurling Final, that the Code of Advertising Standards for Ireland 1995 expressly requires that "anyone depicted in an alcohol advertisement should be over 25 years of age"? In recent years the practice of placing a huge Guinness sign in front of teams when official photographs are being taken immediately before the All-Ireland Final for immediate relay by television and, subsequently, for display in newspapers, magazines, pubs, schools and houses, has breached this code.
Both Clare and Kilkenny will confirm that several of their squad members are under 25 years of age.
That sports organisations should seek or allow alcoholic drinks companies to sponsor their games is a separate matter, but in this instance the GAA is morally obliged to uphold such advertising codes and should not countenance any breaches. - Yours, etc.,
THOMAS J. HANNON, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois.