Sir, – In view of the fact that the Government has determined the cost of a "substantial meal" to be €9, it would seem that the decision by a restaurant in Dublin to charge an advance booking deposit of €20 per person per meal is wildly excessive ("Restaurant to introduce deposit policy after 18 no-shows on Friday night", News, December 7th). – Yours, etc,
FERGUS LYNCH,
Blanchardstown,
Dublin 15.