Madam, - Recently your columnist Vincent Browne has been preoccupied by the issue of the "cost" of Farmleigh and its low usage by visiting dignitaries. Whilst economic considerations are valid they should not be the only yardstick by which an investment is measured.
I have on many occasions enjoyed the facilities of Farmleigh House and as one of the lucky applicants for tickets for a Christmas evening with Anúna, I can say with confidence that the programme of events organised by the Office of Public Works represents an excellent return on taxpayers' investment. The unique atmosphere in Farmleigh at Christmas is an antidote to the consumerism and spending frenzy that we now associate with the season.
I commend the purchase of Farmleigh and the operation of same by the OPW.- Yours, etc.,
MARY BARRETT, Lower Kimmage Road, Dublin 6W.