Letters to the Editor, June 10th: On clinical governance, alcohol tax and gardening leave
Sir, – I write as both a mother and a scientist. In 2023, when my daughter was just four years old, she was recommended for hip surgery to treat developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) under the care of Children's Health Ireland (CHI).
We were deeply concerned about whether the procedure was truly necessary and ultimately chose to decline it. We sought a second expert opinion who reviewed her medical records and imaging, confirming what we had feared: our daughter no longer had DDH and had never needed surgery in the first place.
We were lucky. Too many families were not.
The revelations about unnecessary hip surgeries are just one part of a far wider institutional collapse. From the use of non-medical grade spring devices in spinal surgeries, to the misappropriation of National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) resources, what's becoming clear is that these failures are not isolated – they are systemic. Clinical governance, patient safety, and ethical standards were compromised across CHI. Children with complex needs were not treated with dignity or respect, but as burdens to be managed.
READ MORE
As a scientist, I am appalled. I cannot comprehend how invasive surgeries were conducted without solid clinical evidence, peer oversight, or proper audit.
This betrays the most basic principles of evidence-based medicine. As a parent, I am devastated. The very system meant to care for our children ignored parental concerns, dismissed expert warnings, and placed vulnerable lives at risk.
This crisis did not emerge in silence. Since 2017, advocacy groups – many led by parents – have raised alarms about systemic dysfunction within CHI.
Their warnings were persistent, informed, and largely ignored. Had they been taken seriously; my daughter would never have faced this decision – and countless other children might have been spared real harm.
We cannot accept vague apologies or bureaucratic delay. What is needed is a full public enquiry, criminal investigations where warranted and accountability at every level of CHI and the HSE, and binding reforms to ensure this never happens again. The lives and the futures of children depend on it.
Ireland's children deserve care that is safe, ethical, and humane. Nothing less. – Yours, etc,
DR THERESE MURPHY,
Lecturer in Molecular
Diagnostics and Bioinformatics,
School of Biological,
Health and Sports Science,
Technological University Dublin,
Dublin.
Alcohol consumption and tax
Sir, – The recent report showing a 4.5 per cent drop in alcohol consumption in Ireland last year (
'Alcohol consumption falls 4.5 per cent, putting Irish at European average,' June 9th
), is welcome news, reflecting healthier public attitudes and the success of evidence-based policy, including minimum unit pricing.
However, the suggestion from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) that this progress should now justify a cut in alcohol excise duty is deeply misguided.
Alcohol continues to cause enormous harm in Irish society, with thousands of lives lost or devastated every year through liver and heart disease, dementia, breast cancer, domestic abuse and more.
Each year, alcohol costs the Irish State billions in healthcare, policing and lost productivity. Alcohol taxation remains one of the few public tools that reduces consumption while raising vital revenue to offset just a small fraction of the costs alcohol imposes on society.
If anything, our alcohol excise rates urgently need revision as despite rising costs and inflation, they have remained essentially unchanged since 2014.
Most Irish citizens do not know or understand the risks of alcohol consumption. The dangers of alcohol, particularly its links to cancer, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline, remain hugely under-recognised.
The unambiguous position of the World Health Organisation needs to be better known: no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health. – Yours, etc,
DR RALPH HURLEY O'DWYER,
Specialist Registrar
in Public Health Medicine,
Dublin.
Gaza and food aid
Sir, – I'm delighted by the international impact of the Madleen, due to the presence of Greta Thunberg and other international activists.
I wonder have your readers forgotten the 2010 Irish endeavour to respond to the tragedy of an earlier Palestinian Nakba.
Together with Malaysian support, we purchased a ship which carried 60 tonnes of cement for rebuilding essential humanitarian infrastructure in Gaza. And significantly, onboard was Mairead Maguire, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
The ship we named the Rachel Corrie after a young Jewish girl who gave her life in trying to stop the bulldozing of a Palestinian home.
As in the case of the Madleen, we were intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. The Rachel Corrie was boarded from two Israeli gunships and we were taken into Ashdod. There were seven Irish and seven Malaysian activists onboard. Malaysia had assembled the funding for the purchase of the ship, which was fitted out in Dundalk, and where a retired Scottish captain was hired.
The then minister for foreign affairs, Micheál Martin, contacted me via satellite phone to express his concern for the safety of Irish nationals, and to inform me that he had been in touch with the Israelis. I explained that, in addition to delivering cement to Gaza, we intended to enter Gaza, just as our friends onboard the Madleen had intended.
In both cases, the attempt was to break the stranglehold over Gaza and the people of Gaza by Israel.
Micheál Martin understood the situation, and arranged for the Irish ambassador to meet me in Ashdod after our arrival at the detention centre.
At his request the ambassador met me, and together with his Thai counterpart, he agreed to get the Filipino crew, the Cuban engineer, and the Malaysian activists out of the Israeli prison as soon as possible.
These were all citizens of countries that did not recognise Israel. We Irish had agreed we would not leave detention until the other shipmates including the Scottish captain had been freed and flown home.
Our opportunity to prosecute Israel for military action in international waters was not taken up by Ireland or Malaysia, regrettably, and now we see the same violation of international law taking place. – Yours, etc,
DENIS J. HALLIDAY,
Former UN assistant secretary general (1994-98)
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – In light of the Gaza genocide can we stop pretending there is such a thing as international law. Countries only talk about it when it is broken by another.
It is only enforced when it is opportunistic for wealthy powerful countries. Instant action occurs when container ships are threatened, but none when humanitarian aid is in international waters under a British flag. – Yours, etc,
JANE JACKSON ,
Greystones,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – How ironic to see Israeli defence soldiers handing out food and water to protestors who themselves were trying to force Israel to hand out food and water to starving Gazans. – Yours, etc,
DAVID CURRAN,
Knocknacarra,
Galway.
Gardening leave and the HSE
Sir, – The two HSE employees who have been on gardening leave for 11 years must have very fine specimens by now. (
'Two staff on gardening leave for 11 years,'
June 9th).
In this other world 'gardening leave' is a term used to describe a short-term paid absence from work between two employments.
But in the public sphere it means being paid indefinitely (eleven years and counting) to do nothing.
Why would the gardener even contemplate the possibility of alternative employment in these circumstances?
Martin Wall reports the HSE as saying that it endeavours to carry out all investigations 'as expediently as possible'. I think 'expeditiously' may have been intended but 'expediently' fits the bill beautifully. – Yours, etc,
PAT O'BRIEN,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – Two HSE staff on gardening leave for 11 years .
Clearly, they are creating something spectacular for Bloom. -– Yours, etc,
FRANK J BYRNE,
Glasnevin,
Dublin 9.
Sir , – I see that two HSE employees have been on 'gardening leave ' for 11 years.
With such experience perhaps a transfer to the Botanic Gardens would be in order. – Yours, etc,
HUGH PIERCE,
Co Kildare.
Some guides to St Stephen's Green
Sir, – Your interesting recent supplement on St Stephen's Green ('
A guide to who owns St Stephen's Green
', June 7th) reminded me how 21 years ago, when the shiny new Luas first pulled into Stephen's Green West, I suggested by letter to your paper that the four very functionally named thoroughfares surrounding the Green revert to their historical more attractively sounding monikers: ie. Stephens Green East – Monk's Walk, West – French Walk, South – Leesons Walk and North – Beaux Walk (as shown on Rocque's Map 1757).
All this time later 'You are now approaching French Walk' would still sound so much more sublime as you glide in on the Luas or stroll on to Beaux Walk towards the Shelbourne.
Ah let it be done, a little renaming enhancement to uplift further this famous old marshy Square! – Yours, etc,
HELEN KEHOE,
Stoneybatter,
Dublin 7.
Sir, – The headline 'A guide to who owns St Stephen's Green,' caught my attention. I was afraid the ownership of the public park had moved to the private sector and I'd be reading how the bandstand could now be rented for €3,000 per month.
So it was delightful to discover it only referred to the property around the rectangular Green. – Yours, etc,
DERMOT O'ROURKE,
Lucan,
Dublin.
Some pointers for the GAA
Sir, – I could not agree more with Nicky English's analysis of Saturdays Munster final in Limerick at 18.00hrs on a Saturday evening. ('
Weary Limerick's errors allowed Cork's confidence to flourish,'
June 9th).
I was one of the spectators who because I had to walk (my running days are over!) left the stadium at half time in extra time to catch the 21.00hrs train back to Dublin.
Let me declare an interest, I am a Corkman who loves the game of hurling and obviously delighted with the result. The performance by both sets of amateur players on Saturday was up there with the best I have been privileged to witness over the years.
I'll leave it to your columnists and others to describe the passion, excitement etc. of the game but would add some observations, which are meant to be constructive.
The core issue with the scheduling of games in both codes is the contraction of the season. It is an issue needing immediate attention to be sorted for the 2026 season.
There are so many reasons why it should, all of which have been well articulated, and I can honestly say I have yet to meet a supporter of either code who agrees with the short season for our inter county championships.
I fully agree with Nicky's comments on refereeing. I have been arguing for a long time that the game is too fast and hectic now for one referee and in my opinion we should have two, each in full control of their own half, at least for major championship games.
I also agree the new football rules in relation to the clock and hooter should be implemented as should some disciplinary measures on dissent and gamesmanship.
Not so sure about revaluing the goal to four points!
When I entered the Gaelic grounds at 17.40 hrs on Saturday and Croke Park at 15.30 hrs on Sunday there were no programmes for sale. Why? and please don't tell me they were all sold out!!
Another issue which I don't like bringing up is the toilet facilities at our stadiums. The scene under the Mick Mackey stand during the intervals on Saturday can only be described as appalling, disgraceful, third world.
Whatever about men jamming the entrances/ exits trying to get in and out , the sight of our women supporters, who are growing in such numbers, lining up in orderly lengthy queues is so so embarrassing and must be so demeaning for them.
I don't accept there is no solution to this problem in this age of mobile units which we see deployed in other venues throughout the country. – Yours etc.
JOE WALSH,
Sutton,
Dublin.
Gulf stream and climate change
Sir, – A recent letter from Richard Herriott (my first cousin as it happens) queried why the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA)latest report did not mention the possible collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation – more popularly known as the Gulf Stream. While the concern is valid, the omission is understandable.
The EPA's focus is on Ireland's emissions and our domestic climate action. The destabilisation of the Gulf Stream is indeed one of the most alarming global climate tipping points, but it is also largely beyond our direct influence.
In contrast, the report highlights the many areas where we can make a difference – reducing emissions from transport, agriculture, buildings, and energy.
These are spheres where policy and behavioural change can yield real and measurable results.
The real scandal is not what the report left out, but what we continue to leave undone. We are failing to act even where action is clearly within our grasp.
It would be tragic if, in the face of potential planetary upheaval, we chose to focus on the immovable rather than the urgent and fixable. Or we could do a Nero and pull out a fiddle. – Yours, etc,
JAMES CANDON,
Woluwe St. Pierre,
Brussels.
Season's Greetings
Sir, – At 9.20 am on Monday June 9th, an out-of-service bus passed me on Kevin Street, Dublin 8, bearing the greeting, 'Merry Christmas from Dublin Bus' on its display screen. Is this a record? – Yours, etc,
MARK HARKIN,
New Bride Street,
Dublin 8.
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