The Irish Times - Letters

Fears over delay in permit renewal

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

Madam, – Legal Affairs Correspondent Carol Coulter writes about how the recent Supreme Court judgment on asylum judicial review will help ensure “the highest and most transparent standards will be applied in dealing with asylum seekers” (Law Matters, February 1st).

Something about Harney

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

Madam, – What a pleasure to read Noel Whelan’s dispassionate assessment of Mary Harney’s accomplishments (Opinion, February 6th). Although my views cluster at the opposite end of the political spectrum, I note that she is often the target of uninformed, superficially ideological and sometimes misogynistic criticism. Here is someone who delivered us a cleaner environment, who fostered and empowered investment in science and who introduced reform to a fossilised and reactionary heath service. How many politicians have been as effective in the history of the State?

Civil partnership ceremonies

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

Madam, – Breda O’Brien (Opinion, February 6th) is worried about registrars having to conduct a civil partnership ceremony when the civil partnerships are against their religious beliefs.

Long silence after McCoy report

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

Madam, – Following my letter (4th January) concerning the care of learning disabled people, I have received a disturbing anonymous letter. I would plead with the writer to make him/herself known to me as a matter of urgency. All correspondence of a “whistle-blowing” nature is treated with utmost care by me. But it is impossible to challenge abusive or unethical practices when the information is given anonymously. I would appeal to the person to take courage and contact me. – Yours, etc,

Tired ritual of St Patrick's Day

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:19 GMT

Madam, – You report “Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness will meet US President Barack Obama at the White House on St Patrick’s Day to discuss progress in the Northern peace process.” (Breaking News, February 6th). Is there any way to stop this?

Press, privacy and the Lillis trial

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:19 GMT

Madam, – As a career photographer since the mid 1960s, it is with sadness I write that it is now urgently necessary for the Government to introduce a privacy bill. The behaviour of some people who call themselves photographers and videographers – usually attached to the tabloid press – but also to some of the so-called “respectable media”, is depressing and sometimes just disgusting.

Appalling state of hospital

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:19 GMT

Madam, – My sister-in-law is a long-term patient St Ita’s Hospital, Portrane, Co Dublin. I can attest to the appalling physical conditions in that hospital which would not be tolerated in any general hospital. Patients are living in conditions that are lacking in basic humanity and dignity. In addition to the reported move to Beaumont Hospital, houses have been built in the grounds of St Ita’s to provide accommodation for some patients. These houses, built to a very high standard, have been fully furnished and fitted for many months.

Losing out on free pre-schooling plan

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:19 GMT

Madam, – As Jamie Smyth reported (Home News, February 4th), it is welcome that the new Early Childhood Care and Education scheme will benefit 51,000 children this year.

Representing the Irish at home

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:19 GMT

Madam, – So Minister for Foreign Affairs Mícheál Martin feels the €4.4 million spent on the refurbishment of the Ottawa residence of the Irish Ambassador to Canada was worth it, stating that Ireland must be well represented abroad.

Limerick regeneration 'a mirage'

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:19 GMT

Madam, – Finally a Government Minister tells the truth (Front page, February 6th) when Willie O’Dea admits that the €1.7 billion for Limerick regeneration will not be forthcoming.

George Lee's resignation

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:19 GMT

Madam, – George Lee’s resignation is an act of disloyalty to the 27,000 people who voted for him and to the hundreds of people who canvassed for him (Breaking News, February 8th). More than those, it is an act of gross betrayal to Fine Gael, which invested faith, time, and great energy in him.

ECT without consent

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:58:31 GMT

Madam, – The recent debate about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (Healthplus, February 2nd) is long overdue. ECT is a highly controversial treatment. It has been the subject of debate and review in other countries in recent years, which has led to it being effectively abolished in Italy, and to it being available only in specialist centres in Belgium and Germany.

Targeting fat-cats in go-slow action

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:58:31 GMT

A chara, – In solidarity with the public sector “go-slow” action, I have decided to join them by not answering phone calls or any other correspondence from any public service body, the Revenue Commissioners included.

The stories parents tell

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:58:31 GMT

Madam, – As a professional storyteller and writer who visits schools all over this island almost every day, I wish I could be happy with the results of the survey (Home News, February 2nd). The report stated 71 per cent of mothers read a bedtime story to their children nearly every night.

Elevating the Ha'penny Bridge

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:58:31 GMT

Madam, – John Stafford’s suggestion of an elevated Ha’penny Bridge has much to commend it (February 5th). Wouldn’t it be the case, however, that pedestrians on an elevated bridge would run the risk of being decapitated when the long-awaited Liffey cable car is up and running? It would be a shame also if the East meets West project were to be thwarted by a scheme to facilitate Northsiders finding their way home safely from Temple Bar. – Yours, etc,

What if the UK used the euro?

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:58:31 GMT

Madam, – “Full” membership of the EU should require a mandatory commitment to joining the euro currency. The UK enjoys an unfair advantage in this regard, especially over Ireland.

Church's role in primary education

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:58:31 GMT

Madam, – As an organisation that has had to forge an alternative model of education in the face of a powerful and sometimes hostile establishment, Educate Together’s policy positions have never been founded on presumption.

Key role of rural transport

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:58:31 GMT

Madam, – A new report by the Citizens Information Board, Getting There: Transport and Access to Social Services, highlights some of the difficulties people, particularly those living in rural areas, have in accessing public transport.

Rowing in behind the Government

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:58:31 GMT

Madam, – I believe our Government has its act together and has a determination and leadership, not seen previously, to pull this country out of recession. A very large number of us, the citizens of Ireland, are experiencing great difficulties, loss of jobs, loss of homes, loss of income and loss of pension income.

Protecting the disabled from abuse

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:58:31 GMT

Madam, – Carl O’Brien’s excellent reporting (Invisible Lives, Features, February 2nd 3rd) has opened the situation of many people with developmental disabilities to public discussion. But it is only a beginning.

Grant rejection for writers' centre

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:50:52 GMT

Madam, – The Irish Writers’ Centre is extremely disappointed that the Arts Council has rejected its application for a grant for 2010. Until 2009 the centre received an annual grant to enable it function as an organisation providing a venue and a service to writers and the public, but the grant was withheld last year on the basis of a value-for-money assessment. Over the past year the centre has addressed all the criticism and misgivings that led to the withholding of the grant.

Meteor right

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:50:52 GMT

Madam, – Your report refers to the space rock recently seen in the sky as a meteorite lighting up sections of the sky (Home News, February 4th). The bright object travelling through space was a meteor and only became a meteorite when it struck the Earth. – Yours, etc,

Nursing home care

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:50:52 GMT

Madam, – As the daughter of one of the residents transferred from St James’s Hospital to the TLC nursing home in Maynooth in October last (Home News, February 3rd), there are a couple of issues I’d like to raise. Your articles indicate that the TLC and St James’s hospital did not show good judgment in transferring so many residents so fast. But surely the families of those residents have some responsibility also?

Bridget's Park leads the way

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:50:52 GMT

Madam, – It is timely for us as a nation to seek and find new means of expressing our identity.

Cowen's call for sacrifices

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:50:52 GMT

Madam, – I could barely contain myself upon reading the report of Brian Cowen’s speech to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce (Home News, February 6th). He called for people to look beyond our self-interest so as not to fail the next generation. This Fianna Fáil Government has already failed the next generation with its health and education cutbacks.

Keeping within the 30km/h limit

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:50:52 GMT

Madam, – Exceeding the speed limit being somewhat of a national pastime, perhaps imposing a new 30km/h limit in the capital’s city centre will mean the old 50km/h limit is actually adhered to? – Yours, etc,

Bringing an end to FGM

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:50:52 GMT

Madam, – I was interested to read Alison Healy’s article, “Call to ban female genital mutilation in Ireland” (February 5th). Female genital mutilation (FGM) is carried out in a large number of countries, particularly in Africa. It is justified on the grounds of being religiously decreed, necessitated by social custom, or required for the inception of a girl into womanhood.

Taxing spouses' travel payout

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:50:52 GMT

Madam, – As State and semi-State bodies have full lists of spouses who travelled the world at taxpayers’ expense, can we not expect the Revenue Commisioners will ensure all such trips are cross-checked, and ensure that “benefit-in-kind” was declared and paid in all cases (“Central Bank governor bans travel by employee spouses”, February 5th). That should recover at least 40 per cent of the unwarranted and shameful excess. – Yours, etc,

Protecting the disabled from abuse

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:50:52 GMT

Madam, – Thank you for highlighting the important issues surrounding the disgraceful position in which we find ourselves (Carl O’Brien, Invisible Lives, Features, February 2nd 3rd).

Tax advantages for married couples

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:02:55 GMT

Madam, – Last week I spoke in the Dáil on the Civil Partnership Bill during which I addressed tax implications that may arise from the introduction of civil partnership. I drew attention to the fact that the tax system can require a single person to pay considerably more tax than a married couple that earns more, despite the high cost of living alone.

Cuts in arts funding

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:02:55 GMT

Madam, – It has come to my attention that the Corn Exchange Theatre Company, for whom I have worked as a composer, has recently suffered a crippling 48 per cent cut in its Arts Council funding. This is an astonishing decision given the standard of the company’s work.

Creating postal codes

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:02:55 GMT

Madam, – It seems direct marketing companies are the only ones served by the introduction of postal codes in Ireland. We can look forward to a far greater quantity and variety of targeted junk mail. Won’t that be fantastic? – Yours, etc,

Use-by dates for the Diary

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:02:55 GMT

Madam, – Apropos Frank McNally’s Irishman’s Diary on sell-by/use-by dates on food (February 2nd), would it be fair to say that all such dates (excluding, of course, the edible ones) should be taken with a pinch of salt? – Yours, etc,

Hammer and tongs conversion

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:02:55 GMT

Madam, – Has rugby gone metrosexual? Clongowes Wood College and the King’s Hospital went at each other “hammer and thongs” (sic) according to your report (Sport, February 2nd). What a sight! – Yours, etc,

Exceeding the 30km/h limit

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:02:55 GMT

Madam, – Garrett Concannon asserts he was “overtaken by a senior citizen on a motorised cart” while observing the 30km/h limit (February 2nd). My family has investigated purchasing mobility scooters and the fastest we could find had a maximum speed of 15km/h. Are we to believe that our senior citizens have been modifying their scooters with turbo-chargers, or is it possible that your correspondent was exaggerating this incident in a desperate bid to undermine the case for the new speed limits? – Yours, etc,

Beware of Greeks - and Irish

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:02:55 GMT

Madam, – What have the Greeks been up to? They are being openly accused of “cooking the books”. We only created SPVs and are now packaging worthless property portfolios to “sell” to one of the only property companies left standing.

Imagining a new constitution

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:02:55 GMT

Madam, – Naoise Nunn says Thomas Jefferson “helped frame” the US Constitution (Opinion, February 1st). But Jefferson was not one of the framers of the Constitution. He was minister to France throughout the period of the Federal Convention in Philadelphia, 1786-87. His only contact with the convention was through correspondence with James Madison.

Cut in price of prescribed drugs

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:02:55 GMT

Madam, – Thomas Mc Cullough suggests (February 3rd) that in relation to making savings on medications for taxpayers, HSE negotiators have not “really tried”.

Bailouts for mortgage-payers

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:02:55 GMT

Madam, – Brian Lucey argues against helping people in trouble with their mortgages on the basis that “any bailout . . . will involve transfers from persons who did not borrow excessively to those that did” (Opinion, February 3rd).

Protecting the disabled from abuse

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:02:55 GMT

Madam, – The statement that not all institutions are the same (Carl O’Brien, Invisible Lives, Features, February 3rd) reads as a defence of the indefensible. Despite our efforts, the presence of psychologists, speech and language therapists, social workers, nurses and doctors has singularly failed to stem systemic dehumanising practices in large residential settings and group homes for people with intellectual disabilities.

Creating postal codes

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:45:00 GMT

Madam, – Another significant advantage of a fully numeric postal code, not mentioned by Michael J McCann (February 2nd), is that it would favour neither of the two official languages. – Yours, etc,

Church's role in primary education

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:45:00 GMT

Madam, – I must take issue with Colm Fitzpatrick’s statement that “Atheism is as much a belief system as any faith” (February 3rd). This assumes the existence of God(s); with a choice of believing in that existence, or believing otherwise. This is not so. As far as I am aware there is no verifiable proof for the existence of any God (although I will gladly examine any should it become available), only a variety of religions that believe in such a deity’s existence. Atheism is not comparable to any belief system, in the same way that dark is not the opposite of light, it is the absence of light. – Yours, etc,

One embassy closure . . .

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:44:59 GMT

Madam, – The Department of Foreign Affairs has rightly opposed the McCarthy commission’s suggestion that this country should close embassies abroad. Sweden’s decision to close its embassy in Dublin, however, gives the department an opportunity to comply with “An Bord Snip Nua” and save money without causing offence.

Nama spelt out

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:44:59 GMT

Madam, – For simplification could Nama be described as a buy and sell operation with hopefully a profit? – Yours, etc,

Exceeding the 30km/h limit

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:44:59 GMT

Madam, – It was most disheartening and upsetting to read the degrading headline “Go-slow ‘feels like elderly aunt pootering to Mass” and comment within Ronan McGreevy’s article, “one feels like an elderly spinster aunt pootering to Mass once a week in a Morris Minor” (Home News, February 2nd).

Controversy over incineration plan

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:44:59 GMT

Madam, – The Minister for the Environment may philosophise about waste management. But philosophy won’t get rid of the 700,000 tons generated in Dublin which is currently going to landfill. The local authorities can’t indulge themselves in philosophy – they have to get rid of the waste.

Anglo Irish Bank's 0% loan offer

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:44:59 GMT

Madam, – What on Earth is the point of our (borrowed) resources being used to subsidise a property investment company (Front page, February 3rd)? Can we as a State borrow money at 0 per cent?

Cut in price of prescription drugs

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:44:59 GMT

Madam, – Why is the Government patting itself on the back for price reductions from branded drug manufacturers, when most of the drugs on the list are already off-patent for years and are readily available in generic form? Examples are ibuprofen, amoxicillin, diclofenac, carvedilol and metronidazole.

Merging Arts Council and department

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:44:59 GMT

Madam, – With all the discussions regarding ongoing funding of the arts in Ireland and the interrelated discussions about Irish branding through the arts, hasn’t the time come to review the “how” of funding the arts in Ireland?

Protecting the disabled from abuse

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:44:59 GMT

Madam, – I read with sadness reports concerning complaints of mistreatment of people with disabilities in some residential centres (Invisible Lives, Features, February 2nd). In my work with the advocacy projects supported by the Citizens’ Information Board, I have become aware of widely diverging standards in residential centres around the country – some excellent, some leaving much to be desired, but none subject to inspections, despite the introduction of standards by Health Information and Quality Authority in 2009.

Head shops and pubs

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:46 GMT

Madam, – I am amazed at the recent upsurge of concern regarding the growth of so-called head shops. We have had thousands of like establishment in operation for years. The only difference is that we choose to call them pubs. – Yours, etc,

Helping the people of Haiti

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:46 GMT

Madam, – Suffering has visited Haiti once again. It is an unwelcome visitor that the people there have met only too often. The Haitians deserve every assistance that they receive. With this in mind, I would like to compliment your Washington Correspondent, Lara Marlowe, on her responsible reporting.

Ex-taoiseach's 3D vision

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:46 GMT

A chara, – I wish to protest at the photograph (Front page, February 1st) of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD. I am sick to my teeth looking at the person who has caused to much hardship to so many thousands of our people.Shame on you. – Is mise,

Killing embryos in stem-cell research

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:46 GMT

Madam, – In response to Dr Dolores Dooley’s dismissal of adult and induced pluripotent stem-cell (IPSC) research as good and ethical alternatives to human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research (January 28th), a search of the world’s largest registry for clinical trials (www.clinicaltrials.gov) shows more than 1,900 current adult stem cell versus three hESC transplantation trials respectively.

Flood defence plans

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:46 GMT

Madam, – Arising out of the November 2009 flooding which inundated Cork city and environs, a recent estimate for Cork flood defence costs is circa €100 million.

Bail for convicted killer

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:46 GMT

Madam, – Advic would like to express our revulsion at the release on bail of convicted killer Eamonn Lillis pending sentence (Front page, January 30th). We believe it shows once more the biased approach of the Irish criminal justice system when it comes to not just victims and their families but society in general.

Number's up

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:46 GMT

Madam, – As I write, the date is 01022010. Is this a calendrome? – Yours, etc,

State's response to abortion

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:46 GMT

Madam, – Daragh McDowell applauds Human Rights Watch for taking the Irish people to task because of their opposition to abortion (January 30th). I do not agree that any “kudos” is due. Leaving aside the extraordinary arrogance in assuming the right to scold a sovereign nation, it is ridiculous that any discussion of human rights would choose not only to exclude unborn children, but to deliberately target them for destruction.

Creating postal codes

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:46 GMT

Madam, – Perhaps it’s too easy a solution but instead of post codes and the inevitable massive expense in creating them, why not use each property’s unique satnav co-ordinates? This could be done quickly, easily and cheaply with the added bonus of relief postmen and women not needing to be shown a route as they could let the satnav do the directing – especially useful in the rural parts of the country. – Yours, etc,

Lanes for bikes and boats

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:46 GMT

Madam, – €10 million for cycle lanes in Dublin (Home News, February 2nd). Perhaps the people of Cork could be granted €10 million for boat lanes for their arks! – Yours, etc,

Exceeding the 30km/h limit

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:46 GMT

Madam, – I wonder if anyone has thought out the consequences of the extended 30km/h limit in Dublin city. Very few vehicles can operate at that speed efficiently. Most cars, buses and lorries will have to use a lower gear in an effort to maintain that speed. This means higher engine rpm which in turn means more noise, higher fuel consumption and rocketing exhaust emissions. Hardly a green solution. Is this the only way to reduce accidents? I think not. Perhaps this is just a cunning way to harvest more speeding fines into Government coffers? – Yours, etc,

Church's role in primary schools

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:46 GMT

Madam, – Yet again those who prefer a secular education are trying to force their preferences on others. I chose a Church of Ireland education for my children, but I wouldn’t dream of telling those of other faiths or none that they must do the same. I object strongly to being told by those who do not choose a faith-based education, that no one should make a different choice from them.

Pay cuts and mortgage unworkable

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:46 GMT

Madam, – I am a public servant. As a result of the December 2009 budget a cut of €3,200 has been applied to my annual pay. This is in addition to the pension levy cut that was applied to my pay in March 2009, which resulted in a €2,200 reduction to my net pay.

Cut in price of prescribed drugs

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:46 GMT

A chara, – It was heart-warming to see the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association’s announcement of a reduction in the price of more than 300 recognised branded medications – representing a saving of almost €100 million over a year.

Dissolving the NUI

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:09:17 GMT

Madam, – There are thousands of current students already progressing in courses for bachelor, master, doctoral and research degrees in the universities of the NUI. They have legal, moral and practical rights to complete the degrees and receive the qualifications for which they registered. Overseas students who have come here, at great expense to their families, have extra moral rights to receive the NUI degrees they value and are working hard for.

Extreme potholes

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:09:17 GMT

Madam, – I suggest that extreme potholing is added to the list of sports now available here! – Yours, etc,

Exceeding the 30km/h limit

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:09:17 GMT

Madam, – I warmly welcome the extension of the 30km/h speed limit area in Dublin city centre (Front page, February 1st).

Plan to help home-owners

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:09:17 GMT

Madam, – I can’t believe we are putting forward plans to bail out struggling home owners. It seems this Government is obsessed with propping up the collapsing housing market (“Struggling homeowners to get help, says Minister”, Home News, February 1st).

Court referral to Magdalene laundries

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:09:17 GMT

Madam, – Justice for Magdalenes (JFM), the survivor advocacy group, is due to meet officials in the Department of Education today. The meeting follows statements in recent days by the Minister for Education, Batt O’Keeffe, revising his assertion last September that “the State did not refer individuals nor was it complicit in referring individuals to the laundries”.

Creating postal codes

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:09:17 GMT

Madam, – I read with dismay that our Government is about to seek an unnecessary tender to have very necessary postal codes given to all of us (Home News, February 1st). Why spend money on a tender when the sorting offices of An Post, to say nothing of the postmen and women, could supply fully numeric postal codes with their eyes shut?

Church's role in primary schools

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:09:17 GMT

Madam, – It seems to me desirable that the State school system should be focused on education and not indoctrination, with an emphasis on producing citizens rather than simply turning out Catholics, Protestants, Jews or Muslims.

Media coverage of Lillis trial

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:09:17 GMT

Madam, – The Garda Commissioner has announced he is looking into the issue of special privileges for some court witnesses (Home News, February 1st). Perhaps he should consider extending these same privileges to those victims’ families, who by exiting the main entrance of the courts complex in Dublin are forced to run the gauntlet of the press at the end of a harrowing trial? – Yours, etc,

Counting 'ghost' estates

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:38:56 GMT

Madam, – The article “621 ‘ghost estates’ built across State” (Home News, January 27th), and other recent print media reports fail to pick up on an important distinction between total vacant stock and the excess of vacant stock over normal levels. The latter provides a much clearer picture of the amount of housing that is available for occupation – a more important consideration from the point of view of trying to match oversupply of housing with rising social housing need.

Rocking and trying to roll home

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:38:56 GMT

Madam, – On January 20th I fulfilled a longed for visit to the show called We Will Rock You at the newly renovated O2 theatre in Dublin.

History of teaching

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:38:56 GMT

Madam, – I am currently writing a history of teaching in Ireland. I am anxious to speak with and/or interview working teachers and am particularly interested to meet those who have retired. This work will result, after publication, in the establishment of a national research archive into the history of teaching in Ireland based at Dublin City University.