Sir, - It is with increasing frustration I read various articles on Minister McDaid's request to Bord Failte to reinstate the shamrock as our logo.
My reasons for frustration are many and range from Minister McDaid's marketing shortsightedness to his able maximisation of a PR opportunity. The second reason for my frustration is the media, which, while continuing to dwell on the overly simplistic arguments of highly emotional personal perceptions or "what one visitor said", are failing to put the logo issue in perspective.
Of Minister McDaid, I ask, does he really believe the logo issue should receive priority over the issue of future funding of tourism promotion, considering the EU will not be financing the industry post 1999, the abolition of duty free sales, the effect of EMU on exchange rates, the yin, yang relationship of tourism and environment, imminent competition from Eastern European countries, or the shortage of professionally trained personnel?
Perhaps if the media afforded Mr McDaid the opportunity to voice his opinions on these issues, I could abandon my frustrations and be increasing in my admiration of his able maximisation of the industry. - Yours, etc.,
Kate Flynn,
Kinvara, Co. Galway.