Debate was a damp squib
Sunday November 15 2009
Sir -- Had Fintan O'Toole, Shane Ross, Pat Leahy and Matt Cooper invited me to a four way book promotion in the National Concert Hall on Wednesday night, I probably would have declined their kind offer. Had they told me that they were going to charge me €38 (for myself and my guest) for the privilege, I definitely would have done so.
Instead, I was promised that they were going to "debate the state of the nation" and I looked forward to the evening's discussions with relish: Who would chair the discussions?; What new ideas would be floated?; Would it turn out to be a watershed event?
What we initially got from each in turn was a 15 minute presentation promoting their latest, well timed, books and urging upon us their great insight. Then after the interval (during which, we were advised, their books could be purchased in the foyer), instead of the "panel discussion" that we had been promised at the end of the first act, our MC, Grainne Seoige, asked all the contestants the same question; Why had they written the book "at this time" which took up another half hour. Then four or five questions (well, statements really) from the floor and the whole thing was called to a halt because we were "over time". Obviously the staff of the venue needed to get home (terms and conditions you know) so the great debate had to be abandoned before it even began.
One funny thing, though. The auditorium staff must labour under different terms than the other staff. No one was hooshing us out of the foyer where the book signings were going on. As you can imagine, I left without making a purchase.
The 1,200 people who filled the Concert Hall had each paid between €18 and €20 for a ticket to this "debate" and I can assure you that there was at least one extra angry man present by the end of the evening. I for one will be demanding my money back.
Rathfarnham, Dublin 14
Sunday Independent
