A Chara, - I refer to the comments by Mr Tom Coffey of the Dublin City Centre Business Association (July 14th) regarding the effect of the Tour De France on Dublin city centre. His claims that major sporting events have only one purpose, "an increase in trading activity", defies belief.
It may be naive of me to suggest that there are still some things in this world which are not solely to be measured in economic terms. While the Tour is admittedly a major commercial enterprise, it is also the world's premier cycling event enjoyed for its spectacle, its excitement, its drama and its sheer difficulty, by millions of people around the world.
That the people of Ireland had the opportunity to witness this great event first hand is a huge honour and thrill for most of us - a benefit which could never be measured in pounds. To see the faces of tens of thousands of people full of awe and excitement was priceless.
It is time for the people of this city and this country to reclaim the streets for our enjoyment and not constantly be put off by the whingeing of a very few (and quite often foreign-owned) greedy vested interests. - Yours, etc.,
Ronan Fox,
Glasnevin,
Dublin 11.