Sir, - In the weeks prior to the recent general election, I received election flyers from - in alphabetical order - Fianna Fáil, the Green Party, the Labour Party, Cllr Finian McGrath, the Socialist Workers' Party, and Sinn Féin. However, I did not receive six fliers, but 24, as each of them was addressed to me using each one of my four Christian names! This makes me wonder about the efficiency of the administrative system in this country, in particular how the database(s) containing personal information are structured, organised and maintained.
In direct relation to this administrative issue, the following bit of information may further explain my initial bewilderment and later amusement: as a Dutch citizen, I am not allowed to vote in Irish general elections.- Yours, etc.,
NICOLAAS FRANCISCUS
ADRIANUS MARIA VAN DE WATER,
Clontarf,
Dublin 3.