Madam, - John McColgan's extraordinary paean to Dermot Desmond (Opinion & Analysis, September 7th) misses the point. Detractors of Mr Desmond's representations about moving the Abbey Theatre to the IFSC are not primarily concerned that he "was attempting to seek a role for himself in the affairs of the Abbey", but rather that his intervention may not in itself have served the common good.
Mr Desmond's cosy letter to the Taoiseach on the subject reportedly begins: "Thank you very much for taking my call on Saturday. We are all very excited about the prospect of the Abbey moving to Custom House Quay, in the heart of the International Financial Services Centre. Particularly, in view of the fact that it is the most adjacent site to the current and original Abbey Theatres."
Who does Mr Desmond mean by "we all"? Hardly the great Irish public. This is the problem in principle with affording Mr Desmond such influence. More practically, it is not just that Mr Desmond seems to view his proposed move as serving the IFSC, in which he owns property, or that the scheme would controversially cover up to half of the listed dock basin, but that he does not appear to know that the existing Abbey, rather than the IFSC, may well be in fact the "most adjacent" suitable site.
Several Government-sponsored reports indicate that the illustrious site on Abbey Street, redeveloped as a showcase 21st-century building - refitted, re-faced and extended from the existing dilapidated premises - could be the most appropriate and economical home for the National Theatre. Problems with acquiring adjoining buildings could be overcome and may have been overstated.
Unfortunately, the most recent report from the OPW, which allegedly undermines the viability of staying put, has not been made public on the basis that it relates to the mysterious "public-private partnership" that has been mooted for the redevelopment. A Government-funded report on the National Theatre became secret once it was proposed to bring in the private sector to make a profit from a proposed reconstruction. And of course the private sector benefits more if a new building is constructed - at a mooted cost already of €150 million - rather than the existing one remodelled.
In the absence of publication and debate of this report there do not seem to be clear reasons for moving the Abbey, apart from the egotistical aggrandisement of a few politicians and civil servants - and the distortive financial interests of the private sector. - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL SMITH, Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin 7.