Madam, - The term "open government" is a mantra in politics these days, but what does it really mean? My recent attempt to communicate with 15 of our public representatives did nothing to elucidate the phrase.
A colleague offered to deliver 15 heavy envelopes to Leinster House on my behalf. I was subsequently perplexed when she told me she was advised at the gate to Leinster House that there was a limit to the number of envelopes you could deliver by hand (depending on the number of TDs in one's constituency). However, she was told helpfully, if she wished to send the envelopes by post, that would be perfectly acceptable.
I rang the public relations office of the Oireachtas to query the matter, and was told my colleague was correct. However, no rational explanation for the practice was forthcoming.
I can only guess that the policy is perhaps designed to assist An Post work its way out of its present difficulties. Alternatively, maybe it was adopted in light of the many revelations at the Tribunals in relation to bulging brown envelopes. Could this in fact be a very sophisticated anti-corruption device designed to clean up the political system? - Yours, etc.,
SINÉAD LUCEY,
Eustace Street,
Dublin 2.