Madam, - The information that 30 per cent of our hurleys are now produced in Poland came as a shock to hurling fans nationwide. To the Irish hurley-makers it was the ultimate kick in the teeth.
One can only imagine the outrage and the utter sense of betrayal these craftsmen must be feeling.
Finally it has become abundantly clear why the Government had no interest in bringing about the necessary reform and regulation to transform this indigenous industry to a level it rightfully deserves as the backbone of a multimillion-euro industry - namely the game of hurling.
The Irish Guild of Ash Hurley makers has fought relentlessly for many years to try and save this much loved and admired Irish craft.
Meetings upon meetings with various Government ministers were in vain; all their proposals were dismissed and disregarded. Instead the already high price of hurley ash kept increasing, cheap imports started flooding the market and as a result, Irish hurley-makers are losing their livelihoods. A further tragic consequence is the loss of the indigenous traditional craft of hurley-making to future generations.
One hurley maker in particular has gone to extraordinary lengths to try and save his business and his inherited craft. An exceptionally gifted craftsman with great vision, he outlined the huge potential of hurley-making in proposals submitted to the Government and to several semi-state organisations. Inexplicably, his proposals were never even considered. Now we know why.
Incredibly, at the same time, when the Taoiseach was presented with a Polish-made hurley, his department rejected the offer of beautifully crafted, special edition Irish-made hurleys for presentation purposes here in Ireland, stating: "We are not in a position to make use of these items as gifts for presentation by the Taoiseach." -
BRIGITTE SCHORN,
Spokesperson,
Environment and Heritage
Sentinel,
Knockraha,
Co Cork.