Madam, - So, the Lord Mayor of Dublin wants us to show some "civic patriotism" and do our Christmas shopping in Dublin city centre. At the same time, maybe she'd also like to remind some of Dublin's stores that the sterling-euro exchange rate is now 1.17, and not 1.5, 1.8 or even 2, all of which I have seen applied in the past.
Until then, I'm afraid the internet will be the port of call for all my Christmas shopping. That way I get the real sterling exchange rate, and four or five days after clicking on "submit" my purchases turn up on my doorstep. It's a no-brainer, really. - Yours, etc,