Is one extra corncrake or Bertie better value?

YOUR Page One article (August 27) nearly took my breath away, regarding the cost to the taxpayer of one corncrake, together with a photo of the bird.

The Department of Arts and Heritage spent €382,000 increasing our male corncrake population by one, for this year. Then we were told that Bertie Ahern cost us €272,000 a year, including mobile phone (€7,500), together with photo also. He also got a salary of €100k and a pension of €150k.

That makes €904,000 for the two — Bertie and the corncrake. Now, which gave us the best value for money for the year? (allowing for the fact that the corncrake had no mobile phone expenses!)

Senior conservation officer Dr Anita Donaghy states “the corncrake is on the verge of extinction in the Shannon Callows, and that is very disappointing and disheartening.” No such luck with the politicians, though, which is even more disappointing and disheartening. The last paragraph in the Examiner is frightening. Dr Donaghy says the money has to be spent in order to avoid fines, after the European Court of Justice, found the state neglected its duty to — wait for it — the corncrake! I can only think of Gay Byrne’s mention of the ‘mad men of Brussels’!

John Ryan

Mallow

Co Cork