Madam, - I quote from the letter written by Emma Corcoran and colleagues headed "Government investing in the Arts" (November 1st).
"Secondly, investment in the arts is highly efficient for the Exchequer. The companies and artistes who receive finance live and work here. The money stays within the economy, and will in the short, as well as long term, end up back in the Exchequer through taxation."
This is wishful thinking as far as the Wexford Festival is concerned, where most of the Arts Council grant - taxpayers' money - leaves the country, because there are so very few Irish artists participating.
The smugness displayed by Martin Mansergh in his column of the same day regarding the Wexford Festival is truly breathtaking.
Let it be clearly stated: the lack of a significant Irish artistic involvement in the festival is a scandal.
If a person of Mr Mansergh's standing - adviser or former adviser to the Taoiseach - does not know this because of ignorance, forgetfulness or indifference, that is also a scandal.
I sincerely hope that this letter will jolt Mr Mansergh out of his complacency and push him into using his influence to redress this gross artistic imbalance, which is a continuing insult to Irish musicians and artists. - Yours, etc.,
LINDSAY ARMSTRONG,
Managing/Artistic director,
Orchestra of St Cecilia,
Bass Place,
Dublin 2.