The Irish Times - Letters

A crisis on the keyboard

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:18:42 GMT

Sir, – Following Frank McNally’s musings on European keyboards (An Irishman’s Diary, May 23rd), current thinking would direct Greek typists’ search for the euro to the Escape key! – Yours, etc,

Paying for bank redundancies

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:18:42 GMT

Sir, – Dan Hoban (May 23rd) bemoans the “superior redundancy packages of insolvent bankers” relative to the lowly package he received from his previous construction position.

Review of Pat Finucane case

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:18:42 GMT

Sir, – The article on the recent British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly meeting (Home News, May 17th) included comments by the Northern Ireland Secretary, Owen Paterson MP on the long-overdue public inquiry into the murder of my father, Pat Finucane.

Vatican and dissenting voices

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:18:41 GMT

Sir, – We were surprised, shocked and upset to learn recently about the restrictions placed on Fr Gerry Moloney’s freedom of expression by officials within the Vatican.

Tackling debt crisis

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:18:41 GMT

Sir, – The Taoiseach’s promises of meaningful action on the mortgage debt crisis (and the implied protection of family homes) sound empty when his Department of Environment, Community and Local Government are actively repossessing homes from the shared ownership schemes where home owners have fallen into arrears with their local authorities. – Yours, etc,

Students behaving badly

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:18:41 GMT

Sir, – In his “Were school expulsions an over-reaction or a timely line in the sand” article (Home News, May 22nd) Seán Flynn quotes a teacher as saying: “[We’ve] had more than enough of bad behaviour and insubordination. It’s about time we had some decisive action”. I agree.

Preparing for European treaty vote

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:18:40 GMT

Sir, – Regarding the suggestion by Fintan O’Toole (Opinion, May 22nd) and others that the Government should push through legislation to postpone the referendum: while no one can be sure, without a court judgment, such legislation in mid referendum-campaign would probably be unconstitutional. And such a court decision would probably not come until after May 31st. And then, where would we be? – Yours, etc,

Exercise and poor nutrition

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:05:35 GMT

Sir, – On a recent visit to the National Aquatic Centre, which is a fantastic facility, I was dismayed to see the menu on offer in the cafe: burgers, chips and bacon baguettes dominated. It’s of little wonder that recent reports show one in four nine-year-olds are overweight in Ireland (Editorial, May 9th) when exercise and poor nutrition seemingly go hand in hand in this country. – Yours, etc,

Paying for bank redundancies

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:05:34 GMT

Sir, – As a once well-paid employee of a private company in the construction sector I was made redundant. My redundancy payment – statutory minimum – two weeks per year plus one week’s pay, all capped at €600 per week. After months of unemployment I was fortunate to find an alternative job but at approximately half of my former salary. My former employers did what needed to be done, and have managed to keep their business going without any outside help.

A hero's welcome

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:05:34 GMT

Sir, – At last, in recent days, Katie Taylor is getting some of the media attention that she deserves. All she had to do was to win five European and four world championships, as well as qualifying for the Olympics by the age of 25.

Of cabbages and cabbies

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:05:34 GMT

Sir, – Denis Gill’s analogy is flawed (May 22nd). “Irish grown” vegetables means vegetables grown in Ireland. “Irish driven” taxis does not mean taxis driven in Ireland, it means taxis driven by people born in Ireland.

The downside of scaling Everest

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:05:34 GMT

Sir, – I’m not surprised four climbers died on Everest last week (Lorna Siggins, Front page, May 22nd). With global warming and huge advances in technology, climbing Everest has become a lot easier, but is still dangerous. Several tour companies now operate trips to the summit; provided you have a spare €50,000; the Sherpas will do most of the work.

Ending hospital overcrowding

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:05:34 GMT

Sir, – The Hiqa report of the investigation into the quality, safety and governance of the care provided by the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, incorporating the National Children’s Hospital, for patients who require acute admission, which we sought on behalf of our patients since 2009, is to be applauded (Breaking News, May 17th Home News, May 18th).

Sport faces the kick of austerity

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:05:33 GMT

Sir, – Sport is to get its dose of austerity – with the Minister of State for Health extending its tentacles to snatch alcohol sponsorship from sport (Home News, May 17th). That should nicely rid the economy of another batch of jobs both direct and indirect. But why?

Queen Elizabeth's jubilee pageant

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:05:33 GMT

A chara, – Congratulations to Patrick Egan (May 21st) on the great honour of being a guest at the Queen of England’s recent love-in at Windsor Castle.

Obama's support for gay marriage

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:05:33 GMT

Sir, – Don Cahalane’s stout defence (May 22nd) of Fr Tom Kelleher’s rebuttal (May 18th) of your Editorial (May 11th) on gay marriage is an admirable and loyal act of a supporter of Fr Kelleher’s spiritual ministry to his flock in Ballinspittle.

Carers losing allowances

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:05:33 GMT

Sir, – Last week I received a brown envelope with a harp. Its contents informed me that my carer’s allowance was being terminated from this week. This is my sole income. It stated the medical assessor’s determination that my son did not require full-time care based on the medical evidence. That medical evidence consisted of the form completed by my doctor on the occasion of a review last year. Nothing else was requested at that time. Nothing has changed regarding the level of 24-hour care I provide for my son.

Preparing for European treaty vote

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:05:33 GMT

Sir, – Fintan O’Toole implies that if one feels that there is no choice but to vote Yes, then one must spoil one’s vote, for this means “a referendum is a charade. It is a parody of democracy” (Opinion, May 22nd).

Of cabbages and cabbies

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:11:00 GMT

Sir, – Irish farmers are encouraged to advertise their vegetables as Irish grown. Leo Varadkar would forbid taxi-drivers from indicating their cars as being Irish driven. Both are selling a product/service. What’s good for the cabbage is bad for the cabbie? – Yours, etc,

Drinking in the victories

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:11:00 GMT

A chara, – In relation to The Blues’ achievements last Saturday, as a longstanding (exiled) Leinster rugby and Chelsea soccer supporter, all I can say is – Carlsberg don’t do weekends, but if they did they’d probably be Heineken . . . – Is mise,

Boycotting of Israel

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:10:59 GMT

Sir, – In his discussion of the call for a cultural boycott of Israel, Fintan O’Toole (Weekend Review, May 19th) has more to say about events in Limerick in 1904 than about what is happening in the Occupied Palestinian Territories today. He appears to be quite unaware of the large body of writing by supporters of the boycott campaign – among them many of the Irish artists who joined him in supporting the boycott of South Africa three decades ago – which addresses many of the objections that have been raised to the boycott call, including his own.

Tackling alcohol abuse

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:10:59 GMT

Sir, – In response to Dr William Flannery (May 21st), the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) in no way sought to undermine the work of the National Substance Misuse Strategy Group by issuing our own minority report.

Obama's support for gay marriage

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:10:59 GMT

Sir, – The responses (May 19th) to Fr Tom Kelleher would leave readers with a very inaccurate view of the man and his beliefs. I am not a parishioner in Ballinspittle but spend some time there each summer and have come to admire his faithfulness to his priestly vocation as well as his compassion and empathy for all his flock. Fr Kelleher is a “true servant” to his parishioners,travelling between two churches on a daily basis to administer the sacraments. For a man well into his 80s, his stamina is remarkable.

Preparing for European treaty vote

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:10:58 GMT

Sir, – I was disappointed to hear the recent comments of Minster for Finance, Michael Noonan about Greece (Business, May 16th). It may be that there are no substantial commercial links between the two countries, yet if Greece chooses to exit the euro zone the consequences will be felt in Ireland as well.

Call for review of Partnership Act

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:32:09 GMT

Sir, – At our annual general meeting on May 16th, family lawyer Marion Campbell explained how the Civil Partnership Act affects both same-sex couples and cohabitees. The Act centres on new reforms for same-sex and cohabiting couples but avoids dealing with guardianship, custody and access of children.

Jedward's legacy

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:32:09 GMT

Sir, – Will future historians refer to this as the “Jedwardian” era? – Yours, etc,

A vicarious vacation

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:32:08 GMT

Sir, – Oh, the holiday delights on offer to us! Yesterday I saw an advertisement for a “Luxury Battlefield Tour” of Normandy. While the idea of a “luxury battlefield” is intriguing and surely well worth exploring, I find the images evoked by the “Immersive Wine Cruise”, one of your Irish Times holiday offers, so breathtaking that I feel impelled to pack my liver salts and sign up.

Vatican and dissenting voices

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:32:08 GMT

Sir, – Fr Frank McGauran (May 17th) asks “How is it possible to separate allegiance to Christ from obedience to the teaching authority of the church which he founded?”

Sectarianism in football

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:32:08 GMT

Sir, – Whilst I agree with David Adams’s opinion that James McClean should have handled his decision to play for the Republic differently (Opinion, May 17th), I must challenge his assertion that the IFA has bent over backwards to ensure that Catholic players are welcome. Windsor Park always has been an intimidating place for Catholics and still is, if marginally less so.

Diaspora 'doomed never to return'

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:32:08 GMT

Sir, – I am an Irish citizen recently domiciled in the UK, but have been a subscriber to the VHI for almost 30 years. Six years ago I switched to its “Global Plan”, which was described in the documentation at the time (and subsequently) as being for Irish people living abroad who intended to return to Ireland “at a future date”. I have now been informed by letter that this requirement has been “clarified” to mean a return to Ireland “in the foreseeable future” and that consequently the policy has been limited to seven years after which all cover will be cancelled automatically.

Queen Elizabeth's jubilee pageant

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:32:08 GMT

Sir, – I had the pleasure of being a guest at Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th Jubilee Celebration Pageant at Windsor Castle on Sunday week. The queen and other members of the royal family were in attendance at the event.

A question of ageism

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:32:08 GMT

Sir, – Bravo to Jacky Jones (HealthPlus, May 15th) for highlighting how events such as Bealtaine, to “celebrate creativity in older age”, simply increase the incidence of ageism rather than combat it.

Preparing for European treaty vote

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:32:07 GMT

A chara,- With Sinn Féin, Republican Sinn Féin, the Socialist Party, the Socialist Workers Party, the Peoples Movement, United Left Alliance and Nigel Farages UKIP all encouraging me to vote No in the referendum on the European stability treaty I have just made up my mind: I will be voting Yes. – Is mise,

Running shy on tackling alcohol abuse

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:32:07 GMT

Sir, – The College of Psychiatry shares Brian O’Connell’s sense of exasperation with the lack of response by this and previous governments to the alcohol problem (Opinion, May 14th). The college participated on the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group and continuously calls for its recommendations to be adopted as national policy.

Match-fixing investigations

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:31:34 GMT

Sir, - So a goalkeeper saves less to earn more? - Yours, etc,

The state we're in

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:31:34 GMT

Sir, - Is Ireland fated ever to become prosperous? Are there to be no years of peace and plenty in the cycle of her existence? Must the wind still blow, and the pelting rain still beat, and summer seasons never shine, when men can collect under the shade in peace, and someone, in happy assurance, announce, that "the fruit of our land shall be excellent"? - Extract from The National Magazine, Vol 2, No 2 (1831). Some things never change! - Yours, etc,

Green lights

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:31:33 GMT

Sir, - Green lights on taxis - a case of hue and cry? - Yours, etc,

Removal of Occupy Galway camp

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:31:33 GMT

A chara, - I am disappointed and angry at the decision by Galway City Council to remove the Occupy Galway camp.

Back to Adam and Eve

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:31:33 GMT

A chara, - While I accept and agree with the comments by Vincent Browne (Opinion, May 16th) about the acceptance of a religion's perspective in the secular square, surely Diarmuid Martin has the right to express his opinion?

Obama's support for gay marriage

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:31:33 GMT

Sir, - Fr Tom Kelleher (May 18th) senses an "anti-God poison" in your Editorial on President Obama's views on gay marriage (May 11th).

Preparing for European treaty vote

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:31:32 GMT

Sir, - In view of the turmoil gripping euro-land, it's probably, ultimately, an irrelevance whether Ireland votes Yes or No on May 31st.

Crisis for school-leavers with disabilities

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:26:50 GMT

Sir, – Indeed, as your Editorial (May 15th) highlighted, the annual crisis for school-leavers with disabilities rears it ugly head yet again.

Assessing our students

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:26:49 GMT

Sir, – Seán Cottrell (Education Today, May 8th) argues that Ireland should withdraw from the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). In seeking to support his position, he misrepresents key aspects of PISA, and we think it is important these matters are clarified.

Selling the spoils

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:26:49 GMT

Sir, – Fiona Slevin (May 16th) is wrong to state that an unnamed diplomat was “selling items gifted to him while he was employed by the State as a diplomat”.

Cutting legal costs

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:26:49 GMT

Sir, – How refreshing to read (Front page, May 17th) that the taxing Master Declan O’Neill has reduced the legal costs in the Fr Kevin Reynolds case. Well done Mr O’Neill, it is about time someone brought the legal profession into the recession with the rest of us. – Yours, etc,

Gais confusion

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:26:48 GMT

A chara, – On April 27th, Bord Gais rang to inform me that the gas boiler needed to be serviced. Confused? So am I.

Mixed messages

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:26:48 GMT

Sir, – As a Dubliner living within earshot of Ravenhill, it would certainly be invigorating if “Stand up for the Ulstermen” were occasionally replaced by bursts of “Nkosi Sikel’ iAfrica”.

Obama's support for gay marriage

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:26:48 GMT

Sir, – Though well into my 80s, I can’t remain silent after reading your Editorial (on gay marriage, May 11th). You obviously reflect that groupthink that pervades the media today and which I experience as overwhelming. Those shouts are coming at us from all sides: get rid of the Ten Commandments, Christianity is irrelevant to our lives, get all mention of Jesus Christ out of our schools.

Freedom of speech in Bahrain

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:26:48 GMT

Sir, – On foot of your paper’s excellent article by Mary Fitzgerald (“Why Bahraini human rights matter in Dublin”, Education Today, May 8th). We write to help broaden the issue to include the plight of the many teachers, academics and students who face charges related to exercising their basic rights to freedom of speech and right of assembly during the recent pro-democracy rallies in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Preparing for European treaty vote

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:26:47 GMT

Sir,– In rejecting a Private Member’s Bill tabled by Shane Ross, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore gave the Dáil the reason that the Referendum Commission “had already made it clear” that it is not possible to postpone the fiscal treaty referendum.

Green jersey, green light

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:35:27 GMT

Sir, – It appears that green lights on taxis now indicate that the driver is a full-blooded Irishman. What a great idea – this will make it charmingly easy for potential passengers to deliberately avoid the diatribes, the moaning, the casual racism and wearying self-pity many of them engage in with such alacrity. Green jersey, own goal. – Is mise,

'Timeo Danaos': Greek gifts

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:35:26 GMT

Sir, – To John O’Loughlin’s “How appropriate” pejorative litany of Greek words (May 15th), I would add: alphabet, criticism, logic, analysis, synthesis, dialogue, politics, democracy. I might dismiss biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, history, geography as mere pedagogy, and vault over geometry, geology and tectonics to astronomy, philosophy, poetry, drama, music. Not to say comedy, and tragedy. What have the Greeks ever done for Europe? Apart from inventing it, that is. – Yours, etc,

Time to revive poverty agency

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:35:26 GMT

Sir, – We, a group of Presentation Sisters, whose founding vision is the well-being of needy children, endorse Sr Stanislaus’s call to the Government to implement the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion and to re-establish the Combat Poverty Agency (May 5th).

Inquiry into 'exploitation' of orphans

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:35:26 GMT

Sir, – We welcome moves to include Westbank Orphanage, Greystones, in inquiries into institutional abuse in Northern Ireland (Pamela Duncan, Home News, May 14th). Children from Westbank were moved illegally over the Border and placed with unregistered foster carers. Children in the home and in fostering arrangements suffered physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse.

Match-fixing investigations

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:35:26 GMT

Sir, – Given the recent publicity generated by Monaghan United’s defeat to Shelbourne, will Ireland waken up and actively decide to protect sport? To date the favoured response is the game of “head in the sand”; it does not happen in Ireland.

A place for new children's hospital

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:35:26 GMT

Sir, – John Hennessy (Opinion, May 15th) eloquently argues the case for a new children’s hospital. No one can dispute this. He emphasises, correctly, the critical importance of trilocation, that is on-site maternity, adult, and children’s services. Where we disagree is the relative priority of these.

Israeli settlements boycott proposal

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:35:25 GMT

Sir, – I write in response to the Arthur Beesley and Mark Weiss article, (“State may seek boycott of goods from Israeli settlements”, Home News, May 15th). The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) is a programme of the World Council of Churches. In recent years more than 20 Irish people have served as human rights observers in Palestine and Israel with EAPPI. We have seen first-hand how illegal settlements are not just destroying any hope of peace but how they are devastating lives, livelihoods, homes and communities of ordinary Palestinian men, women and children.

Church of Ireland's vote on marriage

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:35:25 GMT

Sir, – Last week, as a result of its corporate thinking, the Church of Ireland house of bishops proposed and steered through the general synod a motion reiterating a definition of marriage as “a holy mystery in which one man and one woman become one flesh . . .” and “The Church of Ireland affirms, according to our Lord’s teaching that marriage is in its purpose a union permanent and life-long, for better or worse, till death do them part, of one man with one woman, to the exclusion of all others on either side”.

Vatican and dissenting voices

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:35:25 GMT

Sir, – I am 76 years of age and a retired parish priest with 50 years of active ministry under my belt. I am prompted to put pen to paper because of what I am hearing from so called “enlightened” Catholics.

Preparing for European treaty vote

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:35:25 GMT

Sir, – I wonder should the European fiscal stability treaty be a matter for a referendum at all?

War of words in Athlone

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:35:24 GMT

A chara, – Did Enda Kenny really utter those begrudging and belittling remarks when confronted with Irish people voicing a contrary opinion in Athlone (Home News, May 15th 16th)?

Selling the spoils of State service

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:52:29 GMT

Sir, – You report (Michael Parsons, Home News, May 14th) that a retired Irish diplomat who, “understandably does not wish to be named”, is selling items gifted to him while he was employed by the State as a diplomat.

A question of ageism

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:52:29 GMT

A chara, – Active Retirement Ireland commends Jacky Jones on her stance against ageism (Second Opinion, HealthPlus, May 15th), but we reject the idea that the Bealtaine Festival reinforces negative stereotypes and ageist attitudes.

Legacy of the Famine

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:52:28 GMT

Sir, – Your report of Enda Kenny’s passionate speech about the legacy of the Great Famine (Home News, May 14th) came just days before the images on our TV screens of the food crisis in the Sahel region of Africa. Our legacy – which has seen Ireland become a leader in the fight against hunger – must be protected – as much the plan towards reaching the UN aid target of 0.7 per cent by 2015. – Yours, etc,

A new Europe?

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:52:28 GMT

Sir, – So Hollande conquered France and immediately marched on Germany. . . – Yours, etc,

A place for new children's hospital

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:52:28 GMT

Sir, – At the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation conference, Norah Casey said the new paediatric hospital should still be built at the Mater site (Home News, May 11th). She stated her concerns that any change of location could potentially delay the hospital being built.

Dervish and boycott of Israel

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:52:27 GMT

Sir, – At a time when more than 1,500 Palestinians locked in Israeli prisons are on hunger strike (two for more than 70 days) in protest against detention without charge, solitary confinement, and denial of family visits, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter generates news headlines by claiming that Irish citizens peacefully calling attention to such injustices are guilty of “cultural fascism” (Home News, May 9th). Is it any wonder that so many of today’s university students are sceptical of the very idea of social justice and human rights? – Yours, etc,

Church of Ireland's vote on marriage

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:52:27 GMT

Sir, – Your Religious Affairs Correspondent, Patsy McGarry, is somewhat premature in announcing that what transpired in the Church of Ireland General Synod on Saturday was a display of “a great [Anglican] capacity to disagree agreeably” in relation to the motion reaffirming the church’s traditional teaching on marriage (Home News, May 14th).