Sir, – Kevin O'Sullivan (May 13th) laments the loss of the "big houses" – and presumably the corresponding redistribution of land during the Irish "adjustment". The feudal system did, indeed, provide secure employment for the serfs! The proportion of the £14,000 bill for a one-night stay in the Shard hotel that will "trickle down to the cleaning staff, manufacturers, food suppliers, etc" is insignificant. The actual cost of the stay would be a small fraction of that sum. Most of it becomes profit for the wealthy owners of the Shard. The wealth of the super-rich is protected in tax havens; ultimately, this has a negative effect on the local economy. – Yours, etc,
DEBRA JAMES,
Primrose Lodge,
Cummerduff,
Gorey,
Co Wexford.
Sir, – The first order of business for any well-run commercial undertaking is that money should trickle absolutely nowhere except into the pockets of the owners. Paying anybody for anything is a drain on profit and no business person will pay one farthing more than they can get away with. – Yours, etc,
DAVID SMITH,
Harmonstown Road,
Artane,
Dublin 5.