The signs of the times

Sir, – In an article entitled “The Missing Signage Gene” in the February 11th, 2008, newsletter for the Comhar Sustainable Development…

Sir, – In an article entitled “The Missing Signage Gene” in the February 11th, 2008, newsletter for the Comhar Sustainable Development Council, Dr Frank J. Convery explained, “In the 19th century, the Celts were regarded as charming, imaginative, feckless and disorganised, lacking the inherent capacities that provide industry and organisation, missing the signage gene. The evidence for such ethnically based conclusions has not stood the test of time, so there must be other explanations ...” and he goes on to suggest “a directive from Cabinet that every State and local agency gets its signage act together, including making professional signage a requirement of all planning permissions and NDP-supported infrastructure investments, or budgets will be cut”. Alas, that other prominent Irish gene has overruled the good doctor – procrastination.

Four years after the fact, his 2008 newsletter could be republished with today’s date and it would be just as relevant, even after budgets have been cut due to the economic downswing. – Yours, etc,

JEANETTE F HUBER,

Ard na Lir Scilly,

Kinsale, Co Cork.