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Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Letters: If Taoiseach Micheál Martin wants to make Ireland more ‘democratic', then the Triple Lock must stay
It would be good if that same logic applied when he is addressing a bill currently before the Dáil, on the removal of the Triple Lock. Successive opinion polls have demonstrated the wish of the Irish people to be peacemakers, and not to be a member of a military alliance. If the Taoiseach succeeds in his mission to remove the Triple Lock, it would remove the need for UN authorisation of overseas missions, and unlock the possibility of Irish troops going abroad on military missions at the behest of the EU. To remove the Triple Lock would be to further the militarisation of the EU and fly in the face of political reassurances given to voters in the Nice and Lisbon referendums, the latter a Yes result after the initial No to Nice. The breach of trust is shocking and very undemocratic. Elizabeth Cullen, Kilcullen, Co Kildare Indeed, it is a 'brutal war' as arrogant IDF now also killing Christians in Gaza It had been miraculous the only Roman Catholic church in Gaza was not bombed in the ongoing, long Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. I was sad to see it was not to last, with it being damaged by a missile blast on Thursday which killed three people and injured 10. One of the three killed was the church's 60-year-old caretaker. Another was an 84-year-old woman. Israel's government quickly issued an apology for what they say was an unintended attack on the church and which they are investigating. There have been almost 60,000 civilians slaughtered and more will be killed by Israel's rocket and missile attacks on Gaza – so it's hard to know if this apology is sincere. Some Palestinian families of two or three generations have been wiped out by the bombings. The Holy Family Church and its grounds in east Gaza shelters Christians, Muslims and others from the war. A medic who immediately went to the aid of the injured and dying at the church was quoted in The Guardian as saying how Israel's army is very arrogant and doesn't care if it kills Christians or Muslims in Gaza. He said it is a 'brutal war'. Mary Sullivan, College Road, Cork The EU ought to apply the same 'rule of law' to Israel over slaughter in Palestine We are informed that the European Union may withhold payments to member states if the 'rule of law' is not respected. Where does that leave the EU attitude to Israel – a state that violates international law, denies Palestinians basic human rights and kills Palestinians on a daily basis? It therefore seems the 'rule of law' is not applied to the Israeli state. In addition, some member states of the EU continue to supply Israel with military equipment, thus facilitating the daily murder of Palestinians. Michael Moriarty, Rochestown, Co Cork We only have ourselves to blame for ambassador's dig at stout-swilling Irish There is much gnashing of teeth in official Ireland regarding the US ambassador to Israel calling for Ireland to 'sober up' regarding our attitude to Israel in general, and our Occupied Territories Bill in particular. A fair point is raised. And we have only ourselves to blame, in reality. Perhaps if we weren't so quick to stick a pint of the black stuff into the hand of every visiting American president, or, for that matter, into the hand of every visiting dignitary, we could complain about Mike Huckabee's perceived insult. Time we grew up. Time to wake up and face reality. Peter Declan O'Halloran, Belturbet, Co Cavan Our motoring habits leave a lot to be desired, just look at disabled-bay flouting Frank Coughlan nailed it ('Life's a beach? Not with chaotic hordes of entitled motorists', Irish Independent, July 18). The sense of entitlement some motorists display is baffling. In Bundoran last week, I watched six or seven cars brazenly parked in the yellow box outside the RNLI lifeboat station – until locals got them moved. Two hours later, the lifeboat was called out. The word selfish hardly covers it. I see the same daily in my local car park, where drivers slip into disabled bays – no blue badge in sight – and then spring out of their cars. We are, alas, a motoring nation where courtesy comes last. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh No cost-of-living measures like energy credits when needed most, but why? Reading Charlie Weston ('Number of households behind in their energy bills jumps 86,000 in just a year', Irish Independent, July 17), it is a worrying situation for low-income families. Including electricity and gas bills, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) said a total of 462,000 energy accounts are in arrears in the three months to April. The ESRI said it is difficult to explain why electricity prices here are so high compared to other countries. Domestic users in Ireland are paying 30pc more on their electricity bills than the EU average, which equates to almost €350 more per year. Are we Irish being taken for a ride on utility bills? And yet senior government ministers including the Taoiseach are telling us there are no plans to continue energy credits or to assist low-income families with a new cost-of-living support scheme in October's budget. Mind-boggling to say the very least, in an obvious cost-of-living crisis. Perhaps the Government thinks these people can live off the wind? They supported people in recent years with financial packages to help alleviate the stress and strain of the purse-strings for low-income families. Why not this year? Tom Towey, Cloonacool, Co Sligo Sweet food for thought, as Siúcra may have 'Tipped' the balance for hurlers Perhaps Kevin Kelly let the secret out of the Siúcra bag in his intriguing article on the creative skills involved in hurley stick design and manufacture (Irish Independent, July 17). It appears Tipperary hurlers train with a sliotar weighing 10 times heavier than normal. Thurles was well known for manufacturing high-quality beet sugar which was subsequently packed into 1.2kg bags. So the utility of an ashen stick to sublimely propel Siúcra bags into the air is sweet food for thought.
Irish Examiner
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Letters to the Editor: Marches show Palestinians that we have not forgotten them
The marches for peace may seem pointless to some observers, but they show the people of Gaza they are not forgotten and to put moral pressure on governments to help end the out-of-control war by Israel's forces on a defenceless 2.2m population; the key word here is 'defenceless'. And it's fewer than 2.2m Palestinians now as no one can say for sure how many unarmed civilians have been killed by Israel's missiles, drone bombs, tank rocket fire, and shootings by Israel's military. The current estimate is 55,000 people dead with far more injured, some with limbs amputated. Many are homeless and many lie dead under bombed buildings. On May 29, volunteers near the Houses of Parliament in Westminster read out names of 16,000 children killed in the war in Gaza. It took 18 hours — 300 names were read out by each volunteer. It was to also highlight the starving children and the indiscriminate bombing in Gaza. On June 7, 300,000 people marched in Rome. They believe Italy's government has also been silent on the war in Gaza. One of their banners read: 'Stop the massacre, stop complicity.' On June 15, The Hague in the Netherlands saw a march of 150,000 people; 100,000 people marched in Brussels, Belgium. The EU is not united in taking action against Israel's horror war in Gaza. EU countries such as Ireland, Norway, and Spain speak out independently. The founders of the ECSC in 1951, later renamed the EEC and then the EU in 1993 worked for economic co-operation for peace in Europe after the Second World War. They are long gone but I hope they would want the EU to be a strong voice for a tormented population in Gaza from a war aimed now very much to possibly push them out of Gaza where they have lived legally for generations, recognised by the UN, and is their home. We hope Hamas will return the remaining hostages taken from Israel in October 2023, some of them are dead, to their families. Hamas needs to show humanity too. On June 17, King Abdullah II of Jordan said of Gaza to the European Parliament: 'If our global community fails to act decisively, we become complicit in rewriting what it means to be human.' Mary Sullivan, College Rd, Cork Parking at Páirc Uí Caoimh Cars, cars, and more cars — yet still no bicycle parking. After years of planning conditions, countless requests, petitions, and patient waiting, it is astonishing that Páirc Uí Chaoimh remains utterly devoid of dedicated spaces for bicycles. Meanwhile, efforts to accommodate motor vehicles continue unchallenged. During a recent visit to a football match with the stadium only half filled, I saw hundreds of bicycles chained to fences, railings, and anything remotely secure. This wasn't an isolated scene — it was a clear sign of public demand. People of all ages want to cycle to the grounds, but the infrastructure simply isn't there to support it. Why does the board and stadium management persist in ignoring this? The appetite for sustainable travel is real. It's time the powers that be took action. Harry Murphy, Blackrock Rd, Cork Unfair taxation The State taxes persons and companies to raise the funds to pay for the services it supplies for the benefit of everyone. Ideally, the proportion of tax on persons and on businesses is fair and balanced. But when large corporations or vested interests lobby the government and get special contracts, or favourable grants or special deals, it's the shareholders, company directors, and princes of industry who reap the benefits in the excess profits that are made by those companies and shareholders. But those grants, special deals and favourable terms must be paid for from somewhere. That somewhere is increased taxes on, you guessed it, Joe and Mary Taxpayer. So the system is designed (rigged) to enrich the already rich at the expense of the poor and ordinary Joe and Mary who suffer on with fewer services, fewer opportunities, and more struggles against systems that don't work for them. The social contract whereby the State guarantees equal opportunity for all and a fair sharing out of the State's resources and services is broken, evidenced by the lack of adequate housing, healthcare, education, recreation, and other services. Joe and Mary get the opportunity to change the system every five years. Use it. Kevin T Finn, Mitchelstown, Co Cork Shame on the West I watched Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, the BBC commissioned but never shown documentary that Channel 4 more bravely broadcast last week. It is hard to understand why the BBC didn't broadcast it. It is beyond inexplicable to me and countless millions of ordinary people of goodwill globally how Netanyahu's regime is quite literally getting away with murder on a large scale in full view of the world. But we have known from quite early on after the terrible massacre of October 7, 2023, that Israel's vengeance against innocent Gazans, including humanitarian workers, would be massively disproportionate and sanctioned by the global powers. We cannot claim ignorance. It is even more incredible to those of us horrified by the plight of the Gazans that, with a few exceptions including Ireland, leaders and governments of the so called advanced nations are doing absolutely nothing to stop the suffering of the Palestinians of Gaza and the West Bank, and in many instances are actively supporting Israel militarily and morally. There is a strong sense that governments are not properly reflecting the humanitarian concerns of their voters for Gazan suffering, in the US, in Britain, and across the EU. The Middle East is on the doorstep of Europe and as the US is currently a political basket case it is even more incumbent on Europe to rigorously respond to the overwhelming humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza. And yet Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas have disgracefully had no problem on several occasions in beating a wimpish path to the Israelis without a mandate from the democratic structures of the EU, and yet only feel able to offer tepid statements of how 'abhorrent and unbearable' the humanitarian suffering in Gaza is without actually condemning the perpetrators of this suffering — the Netanyahu regime. This is so ineffectual and so shameful. Why are officially designated international hospital ships not lining up in the Mediterranean to offer humanitarian and medical aid to the decimated people of Gaza and why is Israel not being forced to back down by the use of diplomatic strong arm methods? Shame shame on the 'civilised' Western powers. Cynthia Carroll, Newport, Co Tipperary Br Kevin Crowley Ireland is a much poorer place following the death of Brother Kevin Crowley. A gentle gentleman who practised what he preached, but was never preachy. Those who queued outside his soup kitchen were fed, regardless of their age, religion, or colour. I hope there is a special place in the hereafter for special souls like him. Next time I am asked what is 'Irishness', I'll just refer them to the life of Br Kevin — RIP. Seán Kelly, Tramore, Co Waterford Sinister removal of President's portrait The removal of a portrait of President Michael D Higgins from Belfast City Hall by Tracy Kelly, the DUP lord mayor, just days before the annual 'Eleventh Night' bonfires, is a sinister development. As we approach the Orange Order marching season and bonfires which are an integral part of loyalist culture, nationalist society is forced to endure the sectarian burning of Irish flags and posters of nationalist political representatives. Many of these bonfires contain vast imitation funeral pyres adorned with nationalist and republican effigies of people who were voted for, in the main, by Catholics. We are told that these bonfires are inclusive celebrations of loyalist culture where everyone is welcome and respected. This 'respect' does not appear to include the thousands who vote for the politicians whose images, names, and symbols are consumed in numerous celebratory conflagrations. It would be most regrettable if images of President Higgins were to adorn these bonfires as a result of the decision to remove his portrait. Were Jewish, Muslim, or black people's representatives so depicted, it would rightfully be called racist. Why is it acceptable for nationalist representatives to be so depicted? In the context of an explicitly Protestant celebration it is sectarian. Incredibly, many grand officers of the Orange Order are also Church of Ireland ministers. If the Orange Order and the Church of Ireland cannot come out and account for itself, are there ordinary members not afraid to openly protest this cancerous scandal? Tom Cooper, Pearse St, Dublin 2
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Letters: Hundreds of thousands speak up for voiceless in Gaza, but EU can do more
No one can say for sure how many unarmed civilians have been killed by Israel's missiles, drone bombs, tank shells and shootings. The current estimate is at least 55,000 people dead. Many more have been maimed and left homeless. There are also many dead under bombed buildings. On May 29, volunteers near the Palace of Westminster read out the names of 16,000 children killed in the war in Gaza. It took 18 hours. It was to also highlight the starvation of Palestinian children and the indiscriminate bombing in Gaza. On June 7, around 300,000 people marched in Rome. They believe Italy's government has been too silent on the war in Gaza. One of their banners read: 'Stop the massacre, stop complicity.' On June 15, about 150,000 people marched in The Hague. Meanwhile, 100,000 people marched in Brussels. The EU is not united in taking action against Israel's horrific war in Gaza. EU countries including Ireland and Spain speak out independently. So does Norway. The founders of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which came into being in 1951 and evolved into the EU, worked for economic co-operation for peace in Europe. They are long gone, but I hope they would want the EU to be a strong voice for a tormented population in Gaza. The war is aimed very much at them, possibly to push them out of Gaza where they have lived legally for generations, as recognised by the UN. I hope Hamas will return the remaining Israeli hostages. It needs to show humanity too. ADVERTISEMENT Mary Sullivan, College Road, Cork Complex history of Israel's war in Palestine goes back a lot farther than 1948 Your editorial of July 1 ('Netanyahu must be stopped, and only the US has the power to do it'); Sam Kiley's comment piece ('Trump isn't the guide out of horror landscape that Palestinians and Israelis so desperately need', July 3); and Raymond Deane's letter ('Peace does indeed need two sides to make it work, so why let Israel off the hook?', July 3) all illustrate clearly the frustration of people all over the world at the atrocious and by now undeniable genocidal attacks on innocent Palestinians, our fellow human beings. Mr Deane, like many, thinks the Israel war on Palestine began in 1948. In 1960, Jamal Nasir (1922-2014), a former justice minister and acting foreign minister of Jordan, published The Embittered Arab: The Bitter Story of the Holy Land. In it, he stated that the war began in 1920. This book details historical events in Palestine, from the Sykes-Picot Agreement to the aftermath of World War II (the British-Palestine Mandate) and the UN Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The only respite from violence in Palestine was from 1939 to 1945, because of Arab support for the Allies. Chapter five in the book finishes with Dr Nasir's warning: 'Public opinion in the world should realise that Israel is marching with dreadful certainty to a clash over her determination to embezzle and to encroach on Arab territory and rights in the Middle East, which is more likely, than any other single event, to precipitate a Third World War.' I sincerely hope this is not a prescient warning. Declan Foley, Melbourne, Australia Jews were expelled from Arab countries en masse over two millennia ago The history of Israel did not begin in 1948. The Jews were twice expelled from their lands over time, in 586BC by the Babylonian empire and in 70AD by the Romans. They spread throughout the Middle East and Europe. Over 950,000 Jews were expelled by the Arab countries between 1925 and 1950, when 70pc of Jews returned to Israel. Let's not forget the Hebron Massacre in 1929 when 69 Jews were slain by Arabs. The history of this complicated conflict between Arabs and Jews started long before 1948, but it suits some to suggest otherwise. Anthony Costello, Galway Kneecap failed to see that profanity can be a useful tool when used sparingly Mary Kenny is right to argue that swearing, when used sparingly, can carry weight ('Swear words can signal lack of respect, but foul language sometimes has its uses', July 3). I've always found that when someone who never curses suddenly does, it makes me focus. The word lands differently. It means something. That's precisely why I found the Kneecap Glastonbury performance so off-putting – it was not the sentiment, but the sheer volume of profanity. It was gratuitous, repetitive and ultimately dull. It reminded me of Madonna on the Letterman show in the 1990s, when she used the F-word 13 times in a single interview. Swearing may have its place, but like most things in life, less is more. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh A memorable seven-day forecast on dreary Ireland from a sorrowful mother Reading Ian O'Doherty ('Welcome to the Irish summer, when the showers of rain become slightly warmer', July 2) reminded me of a story from many years ago. It goes as follows. A young man, an only son, emigrated to America, leaving behind his sorrowful mother, who had been recently widowed. His mother, in a letter to her son, said the weather hadn't been too bad in recent times. It had only rained twice last week, once for three days, and then for four days. In his return letter to his mother, the emigrant son replied that she was very lucky indeed that it hadn't poured rain for the whole week. Tom Towey, Cloonacool, Co Sligo Reeves's tears are reminder of Thatcher's comment on politics lacking sympathy There is much we still don't know or understand about what happened in Westminster on Wednesday, when UK chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves was in tears beside prime minister Keir Starmer. I am reminded of the words of former UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher: 'There are no personal sympathies in politics.'
