Modest response to political good wishes

PLEASE allow me to send a Christmas message to our politicians.

On behalf of our household I’d like to thank them for all the beautiful Christmas cards we’ve received.

Indeed not only were we beholden to them for the cards, but we were suitably impressed by their high quality. We were also slightly overwhelmed by the number of local councillors and TDs who actually knew us, never having met or spoken to most of them. My apologies to their secretaries who obviously have a better data base than we have.

Unfortunately I have to admit to a slight fiscal embarrassment on behalf of our family. As a clinical nurse manager employed by the HSE, while I welcome the taxes and levies imposed on my salary in the national interest, unfortunately it means I can no longer afford to buy cards to respond to their largesse.

As a self-employed accountant, my long-suffering and hard-working spouse finds himself similarly afflicted. We did turn to our adult sons to ascertain if they could provide the necessary funds, but as a student garda and a student scientist they also reported a sad lack of finances. So, as polite taxpayers who would love to reply to our well-intentioned public representatives, we have no alternative but to avail of your columns to respond to their kindness this Christmas season.

Florence Horsman Hogan

Seaview Wood

Shankill

Co Dublin