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Irish Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, June 27th: On contactless travel payment, Tusla and security guards and brave women
Sir, – I have family in Dublin and visit regularly. I've always been surprised that the transport system does not accept contactless payment. I then read that it will take five years, yes that is correct five years to introduce a system that London introduced in a two- year period over a decade ago. (' Dublin transport contactless payments delayed until 2029, ' June 26th). I live in Oxford and here we have had contactless for seven years. It took 18 months to introduce. I also have family in Belfast. They have contactless payment for public transport – it took less than two years to introduce. READ MORE Why is Dublin so incompetent? London has much higher levels of complexity and scale. Belfast does not have the resources as we are continually told by those comparing the much richer South. Yet they seem to be able to manage the project in a timely fashion. What is going on? Is this another children's hospital fiasco with the potential for rising costs and no proper programme management? Why has Dublin not used Flowbird as in Belfast or other suppliers who can deliver a timely system? And why does the Government not have a joined up strategy to have contactless payment across all major urban centres in Ireland and thus get scale economies and cost savings? This is just another indicator of Ireland's inability to develop infrastructure at scale and speed which the citizens deserve. – Yours, etc, DR MARC THOMPSON, Oxford, England. Sir, – I am currently in Corfu where having used their public buses, you can pay by bus pass, cash and contactless payments on the bus. The Government are doing their darnest to get people out of cars and yet they are not making it easy for customers to choose alternative methods of transport, which is the key in getting them to use them. Greece, a country with far fewer resources than Ireland, can manage what we can't for another four years. It is mind boggling. – Yours, etc, NIAMH BYRNE, Fairview, Dublin 3. Sir, – The National Transport Authority (NTA) says it will take three-plus years to deliver contactless payments. If this was Ryanair it would be introduced tomorrow, crash, bang, wallop, and no shopping bags. – Yours, etc, KEN BUGGY, Ballyduff Co Waterford Ireland and the Middle East Sir, – With regards to the recent debate in Ireland about the Middle East, Dr Ed Abrahamson (Letters, June 26th) accuses Tánaiste Simon Harris of at times resorting to 'ugly' rhetoric. Are the Tánaiste's statements as ugly as the aerial bombardment, forced starvation and the inexplicable shootings of Palestinians queuing for food supplies in areas which have been designated by Israel? Dr Abrahamson expressed his concern that Ireland's pro-Palestinian stand in relation to the conflict in Gaza may have a more long-term, negative impact on the Irish economy. He pointed to the threat that hospital patients could be deprived of Israel's latest medical advances. If such outcomes were to come about, it would be most unfortunate but surely nothing as calamitous as the hellish experience the Palestinians are being subjected to – day in, day out in Gaza. As regards his closing remarks, where he questioned Ireland's retention of its reputation as a country that extends a warm welcome to all visitors regardless of their background, Dr Abrahamson can be assured that this country will go down in history as having campaigned for the most basic right of Palestinians to survive. Not just that, but to live freely, without apartheid, and prosper in their own homeland. Such hopes may seem a long way off right now, but Ireland must remain steadfast in its support of humanity. – Yours, etc, MICHAEL CULLEN, Sandycove, Co Dublin. Sir,– In response to Dr Ed Abrahamson, I suggest that he carefully consider what has been said by the Government in relation to Gaza. The Government has never expressed support for Hamas. In fact, quite the contrary. Rather, they are expressing grave concern about some of the behaviour of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in relation to the people of Gaza and the appalling way these people are being treated. I am wondering if an ally has to agree and approve of everything an allied State does? So many countries are reluctant to challenge Israel regarding the treatment of Palestinian children, women and men because they are allies of Israel. I find that astounding. Surely a 'friend' can question and challenge what an ally is doing? In fact, I would suggest that this is part of what a true friend does. What Israel is doing in Gaza is unconscionable. Killing people who are simply gathering to get food is beyond belief. It is clear that Israel is using food as a weapon of war and it appears to be their goal to starve the people of Gaza. Surely, as a friend and an ally we can challenge this and I hope that many more allies will join us in challenging what Israel is doing. – Yours, etc, PAULA MOLLOY, Baldoyle, Dublin 13. Security guards and children Sir, – I refer to your story: ('Security guards will be hired to restrain children in State care during violent episodes', June 26th). That Tusla, the agency responsible for child welfare and protection, has decided to hire security services in child residential centres, makes for depressing reading. Undoubtedly, the decision was taken with due regard to professional advice, staff consultation and adherence to proper governance. It is nonetheless, an enormous admission of failure, not just for Tusla, but for the whole of government and the whole of society that physical restraint is to become a key tool in the management and care of vulnerable children. Since the early 1990s, Irish society has been witness to a purgative opening up of past, previously unacknowledged abuses of children. The revelations continue, underlining that Ireland's reputation as an idyllic, consensus-driven society were seriously misplaced. With new legislation, new resources and the establishment of Tusla, we were invited to believe that this has all changed, that a new, enlightened, secular approach has emerged. Surely, there is someone, or some entity – government department or government agency – who can intervene and order a pause? There must be a better way for protecting children and for protecting those who work with them than to rely on security measures. – Yours, etc, BARRY CULLEN, Rialto, Dublin 8. Grist to meat labelling Sir, – Louisa Moss (Letters, June 26th) suggests that the 'dead animal industry' needs to improve labelling. I would say that the shoe, whether made of vegan 'leather' or not, is on the other foot. We already have a word for 'connective tissue extracted from the dead body of a slaughtered cow' – it's 'beef'. Do we have a word to cover the range of ingredients that 'veggie burgers' and other meat substitutes are made from? Depending on the brand you can have rehydrated textured soya, wheat protein, fungus, wheat flour, sodium alginate (yum,yum) and many other weird and wonderful substances. Many of these products require industrial processing and combining with a wide variety of flavourings to make the appear and taste palatable, and many of them are nothing that an average person would consider a vegetable – who is fooling who? It's not the 'dead animal industry' that are using euphemisms, I don't think you will find anyone who will be surprised to find that beef is dead cow and pork is dead pig. – Yours, etc, CIAN CROSSEN, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin. Domestic violence and pets Sir, – Missing from Mary Carolan's article on the latest report from Women's Aid Ireland is any reference to the use of pets as a tactic of abuse ('Highest number of domestic violence disclosures in 50 years is 'just tip of iceberg', says Women's Aid,' June 25th). The link between animal abuse and domestic violence is well known as abusers will use violence against beloved family pets as a tactic to manipulate and psychologically torment their victims. Domestic violence victims who own pets are particularly vulnerable as no refuge accommodation in Ireland will accept pets. This means that those who are fleeing abuse must often choose either to leave their pet behind with an abuser or to stay with the animal in the abusive home. The DSPCA has launched an initiative to foster the pets of domestic violence victims who are seeking refuge. It's a start but more needs to be done across Ireland to help both domestic violence victims and their pets. – Yours, etc, GRETTA DATTAN, Merrion Road, Dublin. A brave woman Sir, – What a powerful and deeply moving piece by Natasha O'Brien (' I will never be the person who ignores someone else's suffering, ' June 26th). With grace and unflinching honesty, she conveyed the emotional aftermath of her assault and the harrowing experience of the subsequent trial. Her words should be essential reading for anyone who has ever felt bullied, silenced, or afraid. Natasha's courage is not only inspiring – it is a beacon of strength and dignity in the face of injustice. – Yours, etc, GEOFF SCARGILL, Bray, Co Wicklow. Martin O'Neill and Brentford Sir, – Martin O Neill should ditch his grudges and move on from Keith Andrews adverse punditry comments during his time as manager of the Irish soccer team ('O'Neill chief among the doubters as Andrews closes in on Brentford job,' June 25th). Giving Keith a positive affirmation by wishing his fellow Irishman the absolute best in his challenging new job would have been more fitting over his less than magnanimous 'good luck to him' and subsequent comment on his 'much better career than he had.' – Yours, etc, KEVIN McLOUGHLIN, Ballina, Co Mayo. Donegal and anger at the GAA Sir, – Darragh O' Se said it very succinctly: 'Donegal have every right to be angry at six day turnaround. It's riduculous.' He also stated that Donegal are 100 per cent right to be annoyed. The most important point he makes is that the players are the very last to be considered when venues and match dates are decided. The priority for the GAA seems to be cash and TV rights. When these decisions are made by the GAA hierarchy they then present various reasons as to how they arrived at these decisions. In relation to the Donegal v Mayo game, one of the reasons was that some Mayo supporters had just as long to travel to Roscommon as Donegal. No marks for geography there. The reason/excuse for the arrangements for the upcoming quarter finals was that Galway had to travel the previous week. Galway finished third in their group and according to the rules they had to play away last weekend. Donegal finished second in their group and so earned a home draw. Is Donegal being punished because they did better in their group? To add insult to injury, the Donegal/ Monaghan game is not being shown on TV but behind the paywall the pay wall' on GAA plus Now they have to pay for the privilege of watching the game. More cash for the GAA. These decisions and flimsy excuses for them, do not reflect well on the decision makers in the GAA. – Yours, etc, PATRICK BONNER, Dungloe, Co Donegal. Health warnings on alcohol Sir, – The introduction of health warnings on alcohol is now likely to be delayed following further intervention from Tánaiste, Simon Harris suggesting the need to pause the legislation for a variety of reasons, most particularly the situation in relation to trade and tariffs. What he did not mention is that Europe is already home to the world's heaviest drinkers with 80 lives lost due to alcohol every passing hour – 800,000 deaths a year. He did not mention that warning labels will specifically address cancer risks and harm to the unborn. The toxicity of alcohol in pregnancy is not surprising, given its ready transfer across the placenta. Of 58,443 births in Ireland in 2021, the best estimate is that 526 babies were born with foetal alcohol syndrome (the worst form) and a further 2,715 babies were born with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Ireland has the third highest rate of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder in the world – no mention of this while deciding to delay the introduction of a health warning on alcohol in Ireland. People with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder experience challenges in their daily living and need support with motor skills, physical health, learning, memory, attention, communication, emotional regulation and social skills. In terms of cancer risk, drinking any type of alcohol increases your risk of seven different types of cancer and the evidence shows there is no safe level of drinking. Yet, Cabinet Ministers, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, have added their voices to the political melee, suggesting the introduction of alcohol labelling be delayed to safeguard economic interests. What is it going to be? Boomier business or better health? Don't consumers have a right to see potential health harms from alcohol clearly spelt out on the label? – Yours, etc, DR CATHERINE CONLON, Former director of human health and nutrition, safefood, Cork. Goodbye, Joe Duffy Sir, –From one Joe to another may I sincerely thank Joe Duffy for a being such a strong voice for the people of Ireland for the past 27 years. He always showed great empathy in dealing with the many sensitive issues raised by his listeners throughout the years. He has done the State some service and they know it. – Yours, etc, JOSEPH TUMMON, Circular road, Galway.
Irish Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Dublin transport contactless payment system not operational until 2029, says minister
Contactless payments across Dublin's bus, tram and railway public transport networks will not be fully operational until 2029, Darragh O'Brien has told an Oireachtas hearing. The first testing phase of the 'next-generation ticketing' contactless payments system will be introduced in 2027 in a 'controlled area within Dublin across bus, rail and Luas', the Minister for Transport told Wednesday's Oireachtas hearing on 2025 transport estimates. A second phase is scheduled to run in summer 2028, with a third one to follow in 2029, he said. 'Obviously how we roll it out will be dependent on the first phase – if that goes well and the testing of that is robust and we don't require many system changes,' Mr O'Brien said in response to a query on the system from Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman. 'By 2027 to 2029 we would have the system fully operational.' READ MORE The Minister said he was investigating whether it was possible to 'shorten the distance' between the first two testing phases, but he could not give a commitment on that. 'It is a roll-out of, effectively, a whole new contactless ticketing system that's going to be with us for a generation and will make a very significant change.' A National Transport Authority report published this year stated contact payments on public transport would take about three years to deliver. Spanish company Indra is responsible for the introduction of the contactless system across bus, tram and rail services. Asked by Fine Gael TD Grace Boland whether the Government planned to maintain the 90-minute €2 fare beyond the end of this year, Mr O'Brien said it was his 'intention to keep that'. The Minister also referred to the extension of free travel for five- to eight-year-olds from September and extending student travel fares to 25-year-olds. Anecdotally, recent fare reductions have resulted in more people taking public transport, the Minister said. However, it was difficult to quantify how many people were opting for bus or rail as a result of such price cuts, he said. Recently published data showed more than one million public transport journeys are now taken in Dublin daily. The Oireachtas committee also heard how the number of electric-vehicle (EV) charging points across the State remained far behind the European Union average. At present, there are seven EV charging posts for every 10,000 people, compared to an EU average of 20 per 10,000 and 13 per 10,000 in the UK, Sinn Féin's Pa Daly told the committee. People needed to have 'confidence that the battery will take them far enough, but also that they'll be able to recharge around the State', Mr Daly said. He also cited a recent warning from the Climate Change Advisory Council that the Government did not support access for lower-income families to EVs, which jeopardised emissions targets. Acknowledging that the number of charging points was below the EU average, Mr O'Brien said his department was addressing the shortfall and investigating EV grant options for lower and middle-income families and for rural dwellers. Asked if this would include grants for second-hand EVs, Mr O'Brien said it would. Earlier on Wednesday, the Minister told Newstalk Breakfast radio he did not expect the State would hit its projection of one million EV users by 2030, but said numbers would most likely reach 630,000-700,000 by the end of the decade. Responding to concerns from Mr O'Gorman regarding the 'almost systematic removal of references to cycling in this programme for government', Mr O'Brien told the committee the TD could 'be absolutely assured that this Government is as committed as the last to continue the real advancements that were made over the last five years in the provision of active travel schemes'. In addition to the Government's commitment to spend €360 million on public transport infrastructure, Mr O'Brien said his department would seek additional funds through the updated National Development Plan to improve 'active travel'.
