Madam, - I was disappointed to receive what I presume to be the first of the usual crop of Christmas cards from politicians today. I had hoped they would have the sense to save the public money involved in sending them (our money, after all).
I usually receive about 10 of these, so I calculate that at normal costs for commercial cards and postage, about €13.50 of my own taxes is wasted on me.
I was particularly upset that the first card was from Minister Batt O'Keeffe on behalf of his Department, since I work in education and we are all still numbed by the serious damage he and his colleagues have inflicted on the education of Irish children - an education that will be needed to bring us out of our economic problems. - Yours, etc,
BRIAN DUFFY,
Claremont Road,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.