Sir, - I agree with Kevin Myers when he writes (July 30th) that our local authorities are truly, truly awful. With the exception of our public parks, which are usually well maintained, the efforts of our local authorities certainly leave a lot to be desired.Not only is our signposting system like something out of a comic opera in terms of its capacity to create confusion, but our "street furniture" is generally neglected and dilapidated. Many signs are old and rusted while others, damaged by passing vehicles, are left lying at drunken angles sometimes for years. In urban areas the display of street names at crossroads and junctions is hopelessly inadequate to cater for the needs of modern traffic.The whole scenario, allied to the appalling condition of many of our roads and our puerile efforts to deal with the awful litter problem, certainly belies the image of the "tiger economy". It tends instead to reinforce preconceived notions of Ireland as a run-down backwater. After a few days touring here a visitor would be forgiven for expecting to encounter a Celtic dinosaur rather than a Celtic tiger. Yours, etc.,M.D.
Kennedy,Silchester Park,Glenageary,Co Dublin.