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Irish Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, June 6th: On Trinity College's divestment, nursing homes and the Junior Cert
Sir, – I would like to warmly congratulate Trinity College on its recent decision to divest in relation to Israel. This is a courageous and principled stand, and I believe it reflects the values of justice and human rights that should be at the heart of any academic institution. However, I would respectfully suggest that Trinity's commitment to divestment should not be subject to review until Israel has granted full and equal religious and ethnic rights to all people under its control. It's longstanding policies have entrenched discrimination and allowed a large portion of Israel's own population to become indifferent – if not hostile – to the suffering of Palestinians. READ MORE Real change must come from within Israel before it can be considered a worthy partner or friend to institutions like Trinity. Until then, continued pressure through divestment remains both appropriate and necessary. – Yours, etc, JOHN SUTTLE, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Sir, – Warmest congratulations to Trinity College on this courageous decision. Hopefully, other colleges will follow suit. – Yours, etc, MIKE JENNINGS General secretary (retired), Irish Federation of University Teachers, Dublin 3. Two recent events have indicated quite clearly that the United States, under the leadership of Donald Trump, has given up any semblance of adherence to the basic norms of international humanitarian law. The US veto on a UN security council resolution for an unconditional ceasefire and the lifting of restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza shows that, not only will the US continue to supply Israel with weapons of war but they are totally unconcerned that they are being used to kill innocent civilians and disrupt supplies of food and medicines to a starving population. Mr Trump has reported on social media that he had a 'good'conversation with Mr Putin who said that he will respond to Ukraine's recent attack on a Russian military airport. Given that the Russian 'response' will inevitably involve direct attacks on the Ukrainian civilian population, Mr. Trump's silence raises serious concerns as to whether he continues to be confused as to who is the aggressor in this conflict. Surely, it is now time for governments worldwide, who abide by and value the set of rules that limit the effect of armed conflict on civilians, to make it clear to the US that their behaviour is totally unacceptable, regardless of their vested interest in participating in the current tariff sideshow. – Yours, etc, MARTIN MC DONALD, Terenure, Dublin Sir, – Fintan O'Toole is right to highlight how Binyamin Netanyahu's 'civilisation versus barbarism' worldview has played a part in his government's malign behaviour in Gaza ( 'Even Gaza's four-year-olds are barbarians to Netanyahu' , Opinion, June 3rd). At the same time, I think we should be careful not to identify Mr Netanyahu as the source and origin of Israel's current strategy for Gaza and the West Bank. The Israeli cabinet has no shortage of hardline members, including some who have openly advocated crimes such as ethnic cleansing and a policy of starvation. Defence Minister Israel Katz, for example, at the end of May vowed to build a 'Jewish Israeli state' in the occupied Palestinian territories, as Israel announced the creation of 22 new illegal settlements. Ultimately, the fundamental problem is systemic. What has happened to the Palestinian people since the foundation of the Israeli state cannot be understood without an examination of colonial mentalities and the political ideology of Zionism. Moreover, the support that Israel has enjoyed for decades from the US and EU has plainly enabled the oppression of Palestinians. In recent months, US president Donald Trump proposed the 'voluntary' ethnic cleansing of Gaza and the building of a so-called 'Riviera of the Middle East'. It is the Trump plan that Binyamin Netanyahu now claims to be implementing. The destructive role of the US was seen again in its reaction to French president Emmanuel Macron's recent indication that France will move to recognise the Palestinian state. In an interview with Fox News on May 31st , the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, retorted that there is 'no such thing as an occupation' and that 'if France is really so determined to see a Palestinian state, I've got a suggestion for them – carve out a piece of the French Riviera and create a Palestinian state.' Binyamin Netanyahu will be remembered as a key figure in the Gaza catastrophe, but he is not acting alone. Many are complicit and this includes those in the EU – among them some Irish politicians – who have hindered efforts to enact purposeful sanctions against Israel. – Yours, etc, FINTAN LANE, Lucan, Co Dublin. Nursing homes scandal Sir, – The reaction to the nursing home care investigation has sparked an understandable reaction of outrage. There is no excuse for poor care or abuse. And those responsible at staff and management level must be held to account. But is there not an uncomfortable truth in how we entrust those who need care; be they older, vulnerable, or children? As I see it, careers in geriatric care, and childcare are grossly underpaid and disrespected. Yet we as a society accept the prevailing low rates of pay and still wonder why the level of care can be sometimes well below what is required. How many of those expressing understandable outrage will now decide to train up as qualified healthcare assistants? How many will encourage their children to pursue a career in elderly care, or childcare? A career, in the area of nursing homes, which entails looking after the toilet needs of the incontinent. The stress of dealing with advanced dementia. The lifting of patients in and out of bed. The stress of being responsible for a room full of totally dependent people. I'm 73. I'm relatively healthy and live independently. Not everyone in my age bracket is so fortunate. I would be terrified of being treated in this manner. Many of those whom I know - including myself - would not be able for such work. Indeed, many would not countenance having to attend to the intimate needs of their own parents. There is a nettle to be grasped here. Transfer all care of the vulnerable to the State. Staff these facilities with qualified, well-paid people with incremental pay scales and permanent contracts. Whilst there is no excuse for the behaviour documented, there is now an onus upon all of us to accept that care of the vulnerable is properly one to be within the remit of the public sector. And, we should be prepared to pay for it. Caring is a career which should be well beyond basic minimum wage levels. Privatisation with remote statutory regulation is certainly not working for some. – Yours, etc, LARRY DUNNE, Co Wexford. Issues around immigration Sir, – Declan Doyle (Letters, June 5th) is of course right in that right wing parties are gleefully taking advantage of the huge increases in immigration. I somehow doubt that that the middle or left parties highlighting this will have any affect on voters . We know the cost of supporting immigrants here, imagine the cost then in Holland which had more than 200.000 last year. This is without the future cost of family members joining them in housing and services. It's not only the costs voters are worried over, but true or not, the fear of major cultural changes. If as he says more than 70 per cent of immigrants are working then the easiest solution is to have more visas for the sectors that need them. In the long term, supporting people in the countries and areas they are from has to be more effective than moving masses of people around the world. – Yours, etc, Enda Scanlon, Ennis, Co Clare. Dysfunction and deferral Sir, - For the past couple of years we have been hearing about the opening of the new children's hospital. Considerable dissatisfaction has been caused by the repeated postponement of the opening date. Now the big media story from CHI (Children's Hospital Ireland) is the apparent dysfunction of some of the clinical consultants in the hospital group. Reports have included stories of consultants not following international clinical protocols, experimenting with non-standard, non-approved implants and of consultants transferring public patients to a clinic where a consultant might receive extra payment. Remembering that the staff in the new children's hospital will be the same staff who are currently employed in the three different paediatric hospitals, the emphasis now should be on postponing the opening date of the new hospital until the problems among some of the consultant staff have been resolved, and until the three groups of staff agree to bond together without causing any major difficulties in the new hospital. – Yours, etc, TOM O'ROURKE, (retired doctor) Co Wexford. Facts about figures Sir. – Tomás Ryan in his interesting article addressing the opportunities which could arise for European scientific research arising from recent US policy changes ( 'I am often asked by students how to plan for a career in research. I tell them to move abroad' , June 4th), argues that the results are clear, in terms of comparing US versus European performance in science since WWII. The indicator he uses is the number of Nobel Prizes awarded, with for example the US having more than three times as many as the UK. However, adjusting for population size, the UK does significantly better than the US. Comparing the US to individual European countries then can be very misleading. This relates not just to science but also other performance comparators, including for example sport. For instance, in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the US won far more medals than any individual European country, but the member states of the EU combined, a more appropriate comparator in terms of population size, won more than double the medals of the US. – Yours, etc, JOHN O'HAGAN, Department of Economics, Trinity College , Dublin. Junior Cert English Paper Sir, – May I trenchantly disagree with those teachers who felt the Junior Cert English paper was 'balanced and fair' or that the paper 'struck a good balance between familiarity and challenge'. It was none of those things. It was, in fact, grossly unfair and seemed deliberately designed to trip students and teachers up. Never mind the sudden appearance of a question on short stories, something never seen before, the sheer length of the paper was an abomination. Questions on seen and unseen poetry, Shakespeare, a film/novel question along with two questions on podcasts along with a diary entry. And all this to be done in two hours. Allowing students no time whatsoever to explore in any detail the works they have been studying for three years. It was the examination equivalent of a fast food buffet. Write as much as you can and don't mind the quality. I often wonder if the Department or the Minister of the SEC understand or even care about the frustration such a shocking exam causes in students and teachers. And then I realise I already know the answer to that question. Thirty-three years teaching now and I've never felt as disillusioned. – Yours, etc, ALAN O'CONNOR, Donnycarney, Dublin 9, Funding playgrounds Sir, – James Larkin questioned should Novo Nordisk be funding playgrounds ( 'Should the maker of Ozempic be funding children's playgrounds in Ireland ?, 'May 31st). Our social responsibility focus is on initiatives that help contribute to preventing chronic disease from occurring in the first place, especially among children. Ireland has one of the highest levels of obesity in Europe, with 60 per cent of adults and over 20 per cent of children and young people living with overweight and obesity, according to the HSE. As outlined in the HSE Healthy Weight for Children Action Plan 2024-2028, over the last 30 years, similar to other countries, the levels of overweight and obesity in Ireland have increased significantly across all age groups, social class and genders. They also outline that this shift in population level Body Mass Index is heavily influenced by changes in the environment that we are born into, live, work, play and age in. Launched in November 2024, 'Play at Primary School' is a Novo Nordisk Ireland partnership with DEIS schools installing new playground equipment to encourage physical activity and active play among primary school children in local communities across Ireland. The new equipment encourages children to play actively, outside, and with their friends, helping build good habits for life and healthier lives which is what we are working towards in our own healthier Ireland strategy. We are proud to be able to play a part, together with school communities towards this goal. –– Yours, etc, NINA T. HOVLAND, General Manager & Vice President Novo Nordisk Ireland. Pantomime sport Sir, – Perhaps it is typical of Munster Rugby that they don't waste time or effort whingeing over the behaviour of some of the Sharks during the penalty shoot out last Saturday. However the reaction of some of rugby officials is surprising and somewhat disappointing. I would suggest that if people want to see pantomime villains in 'sport' then they tune into the World Wrestling Federation. Rugby should be about commitment, sportsmanship and the best team on the day winning! – Yours, etc, DAVE ROBBIE, Booterstown, Co Dublin.
CBC
05-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Dissident to fight board vote delay in court after Parkland, Sunoco ink $9.1B US deal
Parkland Corp.'s biggest shareholder is going to court after the Calgary company announced a $9.1-billion US takeover by Sunoco LP and delayed a meeting where it was to face down investors pushing for a boardroom overhaul. A showdown had been set to take place in Calgary on Tuesday, with shareholders voting on competing director nominee slates put forward by Parkland's management and by Simpson Oil, which owns just under 20 per cent of the Canadian fuel retailer and refiner's shares. Parkland and Cayman Islands-based Simpson have been at odds over the fuel refiner and retailer's performance and governance for about a year. Parkland's meeting has been rescheduled to June 24, when Parkland shareholders are to vote on a cash-and-stock deal with Dallas-based Sunoco that would create the largest independent fuel distributor in the Americas. Simpson says it has applied to the Alberta Court of King's Bench to hold the annual meeting as planned, calling the delay a "deplorable tactic" and a bid to "cling to control" by the existing board. Simpson says no action should have been taken under a new board of directors supported by shareholders was in place. "Delaying the meeting and pushing forward with any transaction ahead of board transition represents a clear breach of fiduciary duty — an obvious attempt to cling to power and sidestep shareholder will," Simpson said in a statement Monday. Simpson is calling on all 11 incumbent Parkland directors to resign immediately, including executive chair Mike Jennings. The cash-and-stock deal between Parkland and Sunoco announced Monday requires shareholder and regulatory approval and also has to be cleared under the Investment Canada Act. The U.S. company has committed to maintain a Canadian headquarters in Calgary, significant employment in Canada and investment in Parkland's refinery in Burnaby, B.C. "This combination with Sunoco provides Parkland's shareholders with the highest value and the greatest proceeds, while also affirming Sunoco's and Parkland commitment to Canada, a country that has played a vital role in our combined history," said outgoing Parkland chief executive Bob Espey. "Sunoco is a strong organization and clearly the right choice for Parkland." Espey, who had been at the helm for 17 years, announced earlier this month that he would step down before year-end. Under shareholder pressure, Parkland said in March it would review options to boost its share price, including a sale of the entire company, an action it had earlier said was unnecessary. As part of the deal, Sunoco intends to form a new publicly traded company named SUNCorp LLC that will hold limited partnership units of Sunoco that are economically equivalent to Sunoco's publicly traded common units. Parkland shareholders will receive 0.295 SUNCorp units and $19.80 Cdn for each Parkland share. Parkland shareholders may also elect to receive $44 Cdn per Parkland share in cash or 0.536 SUNCorp units for each Parkland share, subject to limits. The cash-and-stock deal also includes Parkland's assumed debt.
National Post
05-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Simpson Oil Condemns Parkland's AGM Delay as Final Tactic in Board's Failed Campaign to Cling to Control
Article content Article content GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands — Simpson Oil Limited ('Simpson Oil', 'we' or 'our'), the largest shareholder of Parkland Corporation ('Parkland' or the 'Company'), holding 19.8% of the Company's outstanding common shares today responded to Parkland's last-minute attempt to delay the shareholder vote by calling on the Company's board of directors (the 'Board') to respect the democratic process and allow the Company's 2025 Annual General Meeting (the 'Meeting' or 'AGM') to proceed as scheduled on May 6, 2025. Article content Earlier today, the Board announced that it has postponed the Meeting in order to couple the Board election with a vote on a proposed transaction under which Sunoco LP would acquire all outstanding shares of Parkland—despite having lost the confidence of shareholders. With a Board transition imminent, no material action should have been taken until new, shareholder-supported directors were in place. Article content Delaying the Meeting and pushing forward with any transaction ahead of board transition represents a clear breach of fiduciary duty—an obvious attempt to cling to power and sidestep shareholder will. Article content This eleventh-hour maneuver represents a new turn in the Board's deplorable track record of governance and should come as no surprise to shareholders. Delaying the Meeting serves no purpose other than to avoid accountability to shareholders and further entrench the Board. Article content At the centre of this last-ditch attempt to cling to control is Executive Chair Mike Jennings, whose poor decision making has led to value destruction and a prolonged battle with the Company's largest shareholder. Simpson Oil holds all board members accountable for this deplorable tactic and calls on all 11 incumbent directors to resign immediately. Article content Shareholders have spoken – they have lost faith in the current board. Article content Prior to the voting deadline last week, more than 60% of Parkland's shares were voted on Simpson Oil's Gold Proxy Card and submitted to the Company, indicating that Simpson Oil's nominees will hold a majority of seats on the Board after the AGM. Why is this Board making major decisions when it's already lost the confidence of shareholders? Article content Simpson Oil reiterates its commitment to a fair and timely vote and has applied to Court of King's Bench of Alberta to seek a court order to conduct the AGM on May 6, 2025, as originally scheduled. Simpson Oil will continue to provide updates to shareholders as developments unfold and remains fully committed to protecting shareholder rights and restoring accountability at Parkland. Article content Shareholders who have already voted using the GOLD Proxy card are encouraged to take no action. Shareholders who have voted on the blue management proxy or have not yet voted and who wish to support Simpson Oil's nominees, are encouraged to still vote using the GOLD proxy which may be accepted if the court orders the Meeting to be held on May 6, 2025. Shareholders also have the right to revoke the management proxy at any time prior to the Meeting's commencement. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Enquiries Longacre Square Partners Amy Freedman / Andy Radia SimpsonOil@ Article content Article content
Business Wire
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Simpson Oil Condemns Parkland's AGM Delay as Final Tactic in Board's Failed Campaign to Cling to Control
GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Simpson Oil Limited ('Simpson Oil', 'we' or 'our'), the largest shareholder of Parkland Corporation ('Parkland' or the 'Company'), holding 19.8% of the Company's outstanding common shares today responded to Parkland's last-minute attempt to delay the shareholder vote by calling on the Company's board of directors (the 'Board') to respect the democratic process and allow the Company's 2025 Annual General Meeting (the 'Meeting' or 'AGM') to proceed as scheduled on May 6, 2025. Earlier today, the Board announced that it has postponed the Meeting in order to couple the Board election with a vote on a proposed transaction under which Sunoco LP would acquire all outstanding shares of Parkland—despite having lost the confidence of shareholders. With a Board transition imminent, no material action should have been taken until new, shareholder-supported directors were in place. Delaying the Meeting and pushing forward with any transaction ahead of board transition represents a clear breach of fiduciary duty—an obvious attempt to cling to power and sidestep shareholder will. This eleventh-hour maneuver represents a new turn in the Board's deplorable track record of governance and should come as no surprise to shareholders. Delaying the Meeting serves no purpose other than to avoid accountability to shareholders and further entrench the Board. At the centre of this last-ditch attempt to cling to control is Executive Chair Mike Jennings, whose poor decision making has led to value destruction and a prolonged battle with the Company's largest shareholder. Simpson Oil holds all board members accountable for this deplorable tactic and calls on all 11 incumbent directors to resign immediately. Shareholders have spoken – they have lost faith in the current board. Prior to the voting deadline last week, more than 60% of Parkland's shares were voted on Simpson Oil's Gold Proxy Card and submitted to the Company, indicating that Simpson Oil's nominees will hold a majority of seats on the Board after the AGM. Why is this Board making major decisions when it's already lost the confidence of shareholders? Simpson Oil reiterates its commitment to a fair and timely vote and has applied to Court of King's Bench of Alberta to seek a court order to conduct the AGM on May 6, 2025, as originally scheduled. Simpson Oil will continue to provide updates to shareholders as developments unfold and remains fully committed to protecting shareholder rights and restoring accountability at Parkland. Shareholders who have already voted using the GOLD Proxy card are encouraged to take no action. Shareholders who have voted on the blue management proxy or have not yet voted and who wish to support Simpson Oil's nominees, are encouraged to still vote using the GOLD proxy which may be accepted if the court orders the Meeting to be held on May 6, 2025. Shareholders also have the right to revoke the management proxy at any time prior to the Meeting's commencement. Any questions regarding voting after the cut-off or revoking your proxy can be directed to Carson Proxy at 1-800-530-5189, local or text 416-751-2066 or email info@ Advisors Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is serving as legal counsel. Longacre Square Partners is serving as strategic advisor, and Carson Proxy is serving as proxy solicitor.
National Post
01-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Simpson Oil Reminds Parkland Shareholders to Vote the GOLD Proxy Card For Meaningful Boardroom Change
Article content Article content Deadline to Vote is 5:00 P.M. (Calgary Time) on Thursday, May 1, 2025 Article content Visit for Details on How to Vote, Information on Simpson Oil's Director Nominees, and Their Plan to Build Value for All Shareholders Article content GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands — Simpson Oil Limited ('Simpson Oil', 'we' or 'our'), the largest shareholder of Parkland Corporation ('Parkland' or the 'Company'), holding 19.8% of the Company's outstanding common shares, reminds shareholders to vote FOR its nine highly-qualified director nominees using the GOLD universal proxy card ahead of the Company's upcoming Annual General Meeting (the 'Meeting') on May 6, 2025. Article content To ensure their vote is counted, shareholders must submit their proxy by 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Article content Simpson Oil's call for boardroom change continues to gain momentum. In addition to the overwhelming support we've received from fellow shareholders, both Glass Lewis and ISS—the two leading independent proxy advisory firms—have recommended shareholders vote for meaningful boardroom change on the GOLD universal proxy card. As part of their recommendations, the proxy advisors highlighted Parkland's longstanding underperformance, financial and strategic missteps, and a troubling pattern of entrenchment and gamesmanship by the board of directors (the 'Board')—further underscoring the need for new, independent oversight. Article content Over the past two years, rather than addressing the ongoing performance issues and serious concerns raised by Simpson Oil, other shareholders, and the market at-large, the Board has instead engaged in gamesmanship and distraction tactics. In the latest example, Chairman Mike Jennings issued a last-ditch plea to shareholders. Had the incumbent Board been doing its job of creating long-term value, such an appeal wouldn't be necessary. They've had their chance. It's time for a new Board—aligned with shareholders and equipped with the independence, experience, and skillsets needed to Refuel Parkland and deliver lasting value. Article content – Monty Baker – Michael Christiansen – Mark Davis – Jackie Doak – Chris Folan – Brian Gibson – Marc Halley – Darcy Morris – Karen Stuckey Article content Only the GOLD universal proxy card allows shareholders to vote for Simpson Oil's entire slate. Do not vote using management's blue card or voting control. If you have already voted using management's blue proxy card, you are encouraged to vote only using the GOLD proxy or voting control number, which will override any previous vote. Article content The deadline to vote is 5:00 P.M. Calgary Time on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Article content If you would like to vote shares that you hold in your Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP), if you have not received your Voting Instruction Form (VIF) by mail, or if you need help voting the GOLD proxy, please contact Carson Proxy, at 1-800-530-5189 (North America Toll Free), 416-751-2066 (Local and Text), or by email at info@ Article content If you miss this deadline, we still encourage shareholders to submit the GOLD proxy and Simpson Oil will endeavour to ensure that your vote is counted. Article content For more information on the Simpson Oil nominees, their plan to unlock shareholder value at Parkland, and how to vote, visit Proxy materials are also available under Parkland's SEDAR+ profile at including a GOLD Proxy Card or voting instruction form. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Enquiries Longacre Square Partners Amy Freedman / Andy Radia SimpsonOil@ Article content Article content Article content
