Car hire costs more than air fare

I READ the Ryanair spokesman’s comment about overseas visitors to the mid-west being down 27% (Letters, February 16).

Has anyone in Government ever looked into the hire car companies in Ireland? They are a rip-off for tourists.

We had planned to spend some time in the south of Ireland this year. What a shock to find out that the cost of hiring a car in Ireland is more than the air fare. We were quoted €2,042 (Aus$3,169.49) for four weeks hire, plus a deposit of a further €1,600/€1900 when we arrive at Cork or Dublin airports.