Madam, - Vincent Browne noted (Opinion, September 29th), that in the Cabinet reshuffle individuals would be "promoted or retained to run massive and complex Government Departments of State who have never run anything before and who would never be asked to run anything in the real world".
He wonders "what company in the private sector would have Seamus Brennan run anything? Or Mary Harney, or Eamon Ó Cuív?"
In the early 1970s, Mr Ó Cuív was appointed manager of a start-up co-operative (CDS Teo) when a graduate in his early twenties. With no premises, and seed capital of £3,500, he nurtured and developed this business for almost 20 years. The co-op was founded to export mountain sheep to continental Europe, but when this market collapsed Mr Ó Cuív devised and led an initiative that resulted, among other things, in the co-op processing the only other locally available natural source - timber. The timber mill operating today is one of the largest producers of pre-cut timber in Ireland or the UK.
The spin-off industries from this enterprise and the tertiary activities that are a natural accompaniment have resulted in full employment in this area since the mid 1980s - no small boast given the economic conditions of the time. I acknowledge this as a publican and restaurateur, and as a grateful beneficiary. This prosperity is the true legacy of Mr Ó Cuív's tenure at CDS Teo.
I have no doubt that Mr Browne will argue that such a result is possible only as a result of the availability of Gaeltacht grants. This argument rings hollow. A cursory comparison with other regions, more strategically located and with equal access to Gaeltacht grants, will show this.
Mr Browne does his profession no service by failing to carry out even the most basic checks or research in writing his column. Notwithstanding that it was an opinion piece, surely it should be grounded in fact?
I should like to invite Mr Browne to Clonbur where I would be happy to show him the ongoing benefits of Mr Ó Cuív's stewardship of the local co-operative. - Yours, etc.,
EOIN BURKE,
Proprietor,
Burke's Bar and Restaurant,
Clonbur,
Co Galway.