Halt public funding for constituency offices

YOU highlighted the failure of political opponents to exploit Tony Killeen’s embarrassment that his constituency office made representations on two occasions on behalf of a convicted sex offender (Irish Examiner, January 17).

You surmised, correctly I’m sure, this was because many other TDs might well be similarly compromised.

Mr Killeen recently admitted he rarely saw or signed letters issued in his name and revealed his office has “issued in excess of 22,000 letters”.

It’s safe to assume at least 50% of these letters required a response from a Government department or agency. If every TD was equally productive, this would mean in excess of €5,000,000 pieces of mail have been generated, many of which are the result of the TD merely going through the motions.

There is clearly a substantial industry involved in making delivery of public services dependent on keeping you indebted to your local TD, solely for the purpose of his/her reelection.

It’s time to provide a nationwide network of professionally staffed offices to provide proper advice and advocacy services to the public. No further public funding should be provided for the running of constituency offices.

Peter Molloy

9 Haddington Park

Glenageary

Co Dublin.