Sir, - In comparing the marketability of the Bruton "currency" to that of the "weak" Russian rouble, Jim Mitchell (Opinion, January 29th) pays his party leader an unintended compliment.
Since its devaluation in 1998, the Russian rouble has performed very strongly, keeping pace with an overvalued US dollar and appreciating about 25 per cent against the Irish pound. Some specialists say it is due to appreciate further, perhaps by up to 40 per cent over the next two to three years. A good omen for Mr Bruton, perhaps? - Yours, etc.,
Brian O'Doherty, Dublin 6.