Madam, - Congratulations to Margaret Heffernan of Dunnes Stores on her honorary doctorate from the NUI. A little warning may not go amiss, however, in that her company may be unaware of competition looming in unexpected places.
Recently in Egypt I was lured into a souvenir shop by a charming young man who assured me it was "very cheap". Inside, as I enjoyed a cup of tea while surveying his wares, he asked me where I came from. When I said "Ireland", he grew even more enthusiastic. "I very very cheap," he said. "Cheaper than Dunnes Stores". - Yours, etc,
PETER BOYLE, Blessington, Co Wicklow.