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Irish Examiner
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Letters to the Editor: Supporting young people
I was heartened to read the article on the importance of supporting young people and the role of youth services in their lives. It is encouraging to see national attention being given to the environments and relationships that shape young people's development. At the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), we believe youth work is not just a 'nice to have' — it is essential. Youth work offers young people the safe spaces and opportunities to explore who they are, build confidence, and connect meaningfully with their communities. These are not luxuries; they are the foundations of a strong, inclusive society. To ensure youth services are resilient, responsive, and reflective in meeting the needs of young people, we must secure equitable, sustainable, and adequate baseline funding. Not only must we strive to expand access to youth work, but we must also protect and strengthen the services that already exist. These services are lifelines for many young people, and their value must be recognised in policy and practice. Minister Helen McEntee, in her role within the new Department of Education and Youth, has a unique opportunity to forge an exciting path for youth work in Ireland. The upcoming review of the National Development Plan is a perfect moment to prioritise youth places and spaces, and to build communities with young people at their heart. Let's move forward with a shared vision: One where every young person in Ireland has the support, opportunities, and environments they need to thrive. Mary Cunningham National Youth Council of Ireland, Dublin 2 Starvation in Gaza On May 17, President Michael D Higgins spoke at the National Famine Commemoration. He referred to the forced starvation of the Gazan population and the use of starvation as an instrument of war. On the same day in Skibbereen, Co Cork, home of the Great Irish Famine Exhibition, the Gazan writer and film producer Nasser Al-Swirki spoke at the weekly Palestine solidarity March. Nasser described his most recent and harrowing communication with family members surviving in Gaza. They told him they are now eating grass in an attempt to ease the hunger. We cannot say we didn't know. Sharron Toner Bandon, Co Cork Sham democracy There have been a number of commentators telling us the US is barely a democracy anymore or is hopelessly corrupt. Perhaps it is time for a reminder of the type of world we Europeans inhabit before we lecture the US on democracy. It may be true that US congress has corrupt congressmen and women, it may be true that they are lobbied with buckets of money. But the congress members that US citizens vote for have real legislative power. They can propose laws. They can vote on laws. They can repeal laws. What do we have that's so brilliant in the EU by comparison? The MEPs we elect to represent us cannot propose or make laws, they exist mainly to rubberstamp decisions made by the entirely unelected 27-member European Commission. Let that sink in. 27 people, none of whom have ever faced an electorate for their position in the commission, none of whom we voted or chose for ourselves, most of whom the average EU citizen would be unable to even name, decide all new laws that will be made and affect the entire EU block. The EU is a sham democracy ruled by an unelected EU Commission wrapped in a sham of a Parliament and flag with no real power. If we had an actual democracy in the EU we'd be in a better position to lecture the US on theirs. Nick Folley Carrigaline, Co Cork Do-nothing Dáil One can only agree with Fergus Finlay's assessment of the current Dáil as a 'do-nothing' parliament. Indeed, his recent column ought to be laminated, and despatched to every one of our elected representatives. With the emphasis on 'our' elected representatives. Peter Declan O'Halloran Belturbet, Co Cavan What is happening? I applaud Fergus Finlay for his wonderful article on Tuesday's Irish Examiner ('Our leaders are running 'a do-nothing' parliament and it's offensive'). I totally concur with Mr Finlay. Our life expectancy isn't worth much if our Government is unable to deal with our housing and disability crises. We have become immune to the drab, dreary, and sombre weekly agenda that the Government serves the public. So much of it is taken up with statements and debates on Gaza, Ukraine, US tariffs, biodiversity, and world-class education. Mr Finlay is right to ask what the hell is happening in Ireland? Our leaders are going around the place telling the rest of the world how to do their business, and at home they are running a do-nothing parliament. Mr Finlay looks at the programme for government and says that out of more than 150 bills in the programme, they are hoping to 'publish' 21. They have 29 listed for priority drafting and 64 are not drafted, not written and not ready to be enacted at any time this year. It's my contention that the Irish political system of accountability isn't keeping up with the realities of modern government. I believe this leads to repeated failures, which harm the public and undermine trust in our institutions. I believe that the accountable government is the type of government which is responsible and answerable to the public which has elected the government through their representatives. John O'Brien Clonmel, Co Tipperary €2 levy welcome As one who, for many years, has advocated for the proactive concept of taxation at the point of waste creation in contrast to the present reactionary method in this country, where taxation is not contemplated until it is about to be deposed, I welcome the decision of the EU to impose a flat fee of €2 on each of the billions of low-value packages coming into the European bloc. Tadhg O'Donovan Fermoy, Co Cork Elite wrong again How many times can the western "elite and educated" be wrong? Within my lifetime "they" got it wrong on the following. Dying western empires thought they would always be superior; Winston Churchill couldn't understand why the Irish couldn't be more English and Emmanuel Macron complained that African countries, formerly within their empire, didn't say thank you. Racism in the US, apartheid in South Africa, and discrimination in Ireland were all defended by versions of that 'elite'. Now it has taken years of profound suffering, thousands killed, aid blocked until five lorries didn't deliver anything, to prompt the so-called elite to say something about the mind-numbing situation in Gaza (never mind the West Bank). Language and standards have been brutalised until humanitarian values are all but lost. If the dollars are still sent to Tel Aviv, it can only lead to a deepening stain on humanity and yet another western blind spot. Dr Billy Leonard Kilkee, Co Clare Enough is enough Night after night, our TVs bombard us with images that paint a stark and devastating picture of the Gaza Strip. We have witnessed bombardment after bombardment of Israeli missiles launched on civilian targets — hospitals, schools, and residential areas. We have been inundated with images of young children killed or maimed, and parents utterly distraught. It is time to call this what it is: Pure and simple genocide. Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert himself stated that the Israeli Gaza offensive is approaching 'a war crime'. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it appears, is seeking control of the entire Gaza Strip while allowing only minimal aid. The international community is finally beginning to see this for what it is. The Gaza Strip now resembles little more than a concentration camp; the historical parallels are stark, obvious, and heartbreaking. The international community has said 'enough is enough,' and the Israeli people themselves now need to rise up and say very clearly to their government, 'enough is enough, and not in our name'. Let us be very clear: The hostages taken on October 7 must be returned without further delay. The attack on October 7 was an act of debased depravity perpetrated by a terrorist organisation that has no place in a decent world. However, the response has proven disproportionate, with the majority of those killed in the Strip being innocent civilians, women, and children. Enough really is enough! Killian Brennan Malahide Rd, Dublin 17 Read More Letters to the Editor: High time leadership in Jadotville is recognised
RTÉ News
30-04-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Trade unions to mark International Workers' Day on May Day
Trade unions will mark May Day today which is celebrated as International Workers' Day. A series of events will take place beginning with a meeting of union leaders at Fórsa headquarters for a seminar on the minimum wage. The rate has increased repeatedly in recent years but unions have accused the Government of trying to row back on future commitments. Amid concerns about high business costs, a plan to replace the minimum wage with a new living wage has been delayed by three years to 2029, and a decision on whether to abolish youth sub-minimum rates has been deferred. On International Workers' Day, the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has called for the immediate abolition of sub-minimum rates of pay. "Today, we're highlighting the urgent need to address the ongoing issue of inadequate pay, which continues to undermine the living standards of ordinary people, already crippled by a cost of living crisis," said Kathryn Walsh, NYCI Director of Policy and Advocacy. The Department of Enterprise has said that it remains committed to fair wages for all workers and has highlighted substantial increases in the minimum wage in recent years that have seen real increases in lower paid workers' wages. May Day rally This evening, the Dublin Council of Trade Unions will hold its annual May Day rally at the Garden of Remembrance which will be followed by a march to Liberty Hall. It will include an open top bus representing SIPTU's Respect Transport Workers campaign which is calling for the establishment of a transport policing service to counteract anti-social behaviour on the public transport network. "May Day is a date for celebrating the victories of the organised workers' movement such as paid holidays, pension provision and sick pay," said SIPTU Head of Strategic Organising and Campaigns, Darragh O'Connor.
