Latest news with #OccupiedTerritoriesBill2018
Irish Independent
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Letters: As ‘No Kings' protest in US showed, the trick is to outclass the other side
This was no angry mob. It was peaceful, flag-waving and quietly patriotic. The slogans were about liberty, not vengeance; the symbols were constitutional, not cultural. In short, it looked like the America many of us grew up believing in. And it worked. Donald Trump, who never likes to lose face, has already begun retreating on immigration, tariffs and foreign policy. His showy military parade flopped. What this tells us – and what Irish eyes might take from it – is that dignity and discipline in protest still carry weight. The trick is not to outshout your opponents, but to outclass them. In Ireland we know a thing or two about resisting authority, but we also know that it's public opinion, not public fury, that ultimately shifts the ground. This is not just a moment of American resistance – it may be the quiet revival of the democratic centre. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh Occupied Territories Bill must happen now if we really want to help Gaza The outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran must not distract from Ireland's efforts to help the people of Gaza. While we look on aghast, world leaders are constrained by commercial interests or strategic alliances. Over centuries, Ireland has demonstrated an ability to overcome such constraints. During a visit to Ireland in 2022, Hagai El-Ad, the former head of B'Tselem, Israel's great human rights organisation, said this country has a major influence on international humanitarian affairs, disproportionate to its size. Since then, Ireland has failed his region. The Occupied Territories Bill 2018 (OTB) refines public empathy into practical impact. Its peaceful innovation should have long been shared with the world. However, in 2020 it was blocked by the Government. Unjustified delay has followed, despite the bill having gained large majority support in the Seanad, Dáil and among the electorate. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more On May 27, the Tánaiste's comments in the Dáil on reintroducing the bill hinted at its fundamental dilution. At Gaza's 11th hour, Ireland cannot support such futility or further unnecessary delay. Rumoured external pressures on public representatives might best be shared with the electorate. Threats of legal challenges to this patently peaceful bill can be confidently faced later, if they arise. Similarly, parliamentary voting on the bill should surely be votes of conscience, away from the party whip system? Ireland's obligation to serve the innocents of Palestine is also at the 11th hour. Philip Powell, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin Garda who came out as gay is a real inspiration to all who celebrate Pride How refreshing it is to hear a gay man say 'Our sexuality, whatever it is, is a proud part of us all, but it doesn't, nor should it, define us' and 'Just be yourself and be proud of your sexuality. Don't shy away from it' ('Top garda who was married with children before coming out as gay says 'Be yourself and be proud of your sexuality'', June 16). Compare this with the recent diatribe in the Sunday Independent from author John Boyne, who has become disdainful as he gets older. Fair play to GRA president Mark O'Meara, whose words of wisdom are an inspiration to all who celebrate Pride month. Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry Despite the myth, Gaelic football was popular in Dublin's inner-city schools In his review of RTÉ's Hell For Leather: The Story of Gaelic Football (June 9), Pat Stacey trots out the old story that no one in the Dublin 2 and 8 areas was interested in the sport when he was growing up in the Liberties in the 1970s. I beg to differ. Within distance of where Mr Stacey lived were Francis Street and Synge Street Christian Brothers schools. Football and hurling were played in both schools. There had always been some interest in the Dublin senior football team, even through some unforgettable years. When Kevin Heffernan and the Dubs reached the promised land in 1974, the spark was rekindled, and it still burns brightly to this day. Perhaps Mr Stacey was too busy watching TV shows or movies to have noticed this. Ray Healy, Dublin 11 Alone does tremendous work in helping elderly people have a dignified life I would like to commend and applaud the sterling service of Alone, the national organisation that provides services to older people who need support at home. The organisation also focuses on those who have difficulties by supporting them and linking them in with local services, thereby providing them with the support they need to live at home for as long as possible. A recent report by the charity revealed how important community support is for older people and showed a clear reduction in healthcare use and improved quality of life. The research found that community support enables older people to live with dignity at home. This itself highlights how the services of Alone are transforming the experience of ageing in Ireland. This support can encompass a wide range of services, including help with daily tasks, access to health care and opportunities for social engagement. Thank you to Alone for all the support it provides to the elderly of this country. John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary EU needs to ask the big questions of itself over financial help for Ukraine With the US cancelling military aid to Ukraine, the question now is: Can the EU step up to the plate and fill the void? In recent months, Europe delivered the fifth tranche of its macro financial assistance loan to Ukraine, which is worth a total of €18bn. But this is a drop in the ocean compared with Russia's $160bn (€138bn) spend on defence this year alone. The irony is that the EU is dependent on Russian energy sources and provides Putin with €20bn a year to support Moscow's war machine. Europe makes a lot of noise and promises much, but long-term delivery is another matter.
Irish Independent
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Letters: Greater urgency needed in Dáil to enact Occupied Territories Bill, which could turn the tide for Palestine
During speeches last week, both expressed personal revulsion at the bombing of a starving, entrapped people. Unfortunately, in subsequent briefings, hopes for revised government measures with early practical impact were cast down. We are back to expressions of concern and raising the matter elsewhere. Such leadership has resulted in most Irish people making their stand for peace with the Occupied Territories Bill 2018 (OTB) of Independent senator Frances Black. Its peaceful, practical focus is on the cause of the conflict, without subjecting ordinary Israelis to a blanket boycott. It is certainly only a modest proposal, but it could gain a momentum worldwide. In 1984, Irish shop workers refused to handle grapefruit from South Africa's apartheid state, and the world soon followed. Despite the OTB's majority Dáil, Seanad and electoral support, the Irish Government has failed to enact it into law over six years. Even when the International Court of Justice approved its legality last July, there was delay. The government eventually agreed to enact the bill, but then called a snap November election. Inevitably, this caused indefinite deferral of the OTB. Now, in May 2025, it is still stalled, even at Gaza's 11th hour. The public disillusion and division, caused by such political practice, are profound and unnecessary. Irish people need to be briefed on why our government has variously dropped, delayed or proposed dilution of the OTB. We need to share its misapprehensions, and know whether there have been political or commercial threats, or any other scenarios. An intelligent electorate can grasp such issues and usefully weigh them up. An urgent Dáil debate, with suspension of the party whip system, allowing conscience voting, would further restore faith in our precious representative democracy. Philip Powell, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin Some Putin input could have sent Emmy's song stratospheric at contest The odds were always stacked against Emmy singing a song about a Russian dog lost in space. However, if the song was about the current Russian president lost in space, chances are it would have been douze points all around. Seamus McLoughlin, Keshcarrigan, Co Leitrim TDs probably oblivious to groceries inflation given they've received pay rises It was highlighted in the Dáil this week that butter is now around €5. The weekly grocery shop of around €260 is becoming a source of worry for many people. I would like to proffer the argument that many of our politicians may be truly disconnected from the reality of their constituents' pain because our public representatives have had a pay rise to cushion the blow of grocery inflation. John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Megaphone governance means America is doomed as world won't toe the line America, having defied predictions of decline – defeating the Islamic State, rebounding from Covid-19, arming Ukraine and outpacing China in innovation – has now, with strange determination, handed the wheel back to the man most likely to steer into the iceberg. And not by accident, but out of sheer theatrical impulse. Donald Trump's second term has brought a flurry of executive orders, including one to end birthright citizenship – a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment since 1898 ('US Supreme Court wrestles with move to end birthright citizenship', Irish Independent, May 16). The US Supreme Court now finds itself weighing whether its constitution is a fixed foundation or just another stage prop. Meanwhile, tariff U-turns arrive as fast as his tweet capitalisations. One week he threatens trade war, the next he announces a 'pause'. Markets exhale, China smirks, and allies try to decode whether American policy is driven by strategy or mood. The machinery of US competence – science, public health, alliances – sputters under the weight of grievance politics and megaphone governance. Once again, the band plays. But this time, fewer nations are willing to dance along. Enda Cullen, Armagh Government's approach to filling top garda role is a snub to serving officers Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel when the position of garda commissioner, one of the most important jobs regarding policing and security of this nation, could see a candidate with no actual policing experience obtain that position. I was somewhat shocked when I read the Justice Minister's comments and also the Public Jobs advert for the role. What is the minister or this Government thinking when, once again, they seek to have an international dimension, rather than a local one, to lead the garda force through a very difficult industrial relations period. The new garda model that was foisted on garda members has seen wholesale dismantling of a garda community model that has served us well for decades. In Donegal, where there were four districts, under this model we have two, north and south, and no superintendents in charge. They will be responsible for certain allocated portfolios. This new model will stretch resources that have already been stretched to the limit, where gardaí on patrol in one of these two areas will have to travel ever-increasing distances to respond to calls if local patrols are tied up and unavailable to respond. This model risks people's lives and the lives of garda members. That the position of commissioner in this competition is predicated on candidates having an honours degree or a postgraduate qualification rather than actual experience shows how ridiculous those who are in charge of this competition are. That this Government actively discriminates against those garda members who have worked their way up the ranks – where applicants are prevented from attaining the job of assistant commissioner or commissioner due to significant tax liabilities that they could incur under pension-related tax regulations – gives one the impression that anyone other than garda members of senior rank would be preferable. It seems that this Government and this minister are saying to senior garda officers – not those who have come from outside the State – 'anyone but you'. Christy Galligan (Retired garda sergeant), Letterkenny, Co Donegal
