25-07-2025
Letters to the Editor: Let's not pretend genocide doesn't exist
'Genocide.' A simple word, really. Why all the confusion?
Article II of the United Nations Convention signed by the member states officially describes genocide as 'a crime committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in whole or part'. One of the defining criteria is 'causing serious bodily harm or mental harm to the members of a group'.
Genocide. A simple word, really… with a simple definition that describes the simple concept of murdering or hurting members of a group for various specious and contrived reasons (like, maybe, 'self- defence'?). And yet as simple as the concept is, various governments such as Israel, the US, Britain, Myanmar, Russia, China conveniently engage in the game of double speak seeking to cloud the very real acts of killing and destruction of a people.
The word clearly defines a criminal act against humanity. That definition was agreed upon in a compromise reached by the UN member states in 1948 signed by Israel, the US, Britain, China, Myanmar, Russia, among many others during the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Perhaps it is thought that by not speaking the word that this crime against humanity will not and doesn't exist. Yes, we can all sleep more easily if only we avoid that horrid word. And humanity can sleep dreams of denial rather than rightfully experiencing nightmares of our complicity as witnessed by the lack of protest and action.
Rick Fichter, Ramelton, Co Donegal
Fears over Eircode were not realised
It's hard to believe, that 10 years ago, Ireland's postcode system was introduced. Gone are the days of searching for a rural house as Eircode has come to our rescue. I remember in 2015 , all the hullabaloo, the giving out and all the nonsense from critics apropos to this avant system. It's my contention that these objectors were spectacularly wrong. I especially remember some politicians giving out about this new system.
The idea of rolling out a postal code across the country in 2015 was perceived by many people as being chimeric. Some cynics uttered: Who do we think we are? That was because we were coming out of austerity and these people started questioning how the State could be investing €16m on this system where the €16m would eventually cost €27m. Then we had the likes of the Fire and Emergency Services Association saying that the scheme would cause confusion for first responders. We now know that this was all unnecessary hysteria. Thankfully, the postcode system has been a resounding success.
John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
Planning and reality: A wide gap
An Bórd Pleanála is now An Comisúin Pleanála. One of the first provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2024 to be commenced.
Unfortunately, the 'change' of title, and indeed the new act when it is fully commenced, will do little to prevent bizarre determinations like that to refuse the demolition of a set of redundant concrete car park ramps in Dublin Airport.
In upholding the decision of Fingal County Council, ACP stated that, notwithstanding the fact that the spirals were not a protected structure, they are of technical and architectural merit by virtue of their brutalist design, associated concrete construction and their unique architectural form and shape which reflect a distinctive feature adjacent to the T1 building.
They were built in 1972, 53 years ago to serve a facility that no longer exists. And yes, of concrete; a basic commonplace construction material.
As acknowledged by ACP, they are not protected structures. But nevertheless, it found a planning rationale to refuse their demolition.
I'm not inclined to go overboard with odious hypothetical comparisons but consider this: If the same view was taken of the 'brutalist' form of the Ballymun Towers and Hawkins House, we would be doubtless celebrating the retention of icons of 1960s brutalist architecture. Allied to the absurd flight cap conditioned in 2007 and that an entire Part (5) of the new Planning Act covers Dublin Airport, the gap between planning and land use theory and reality will remain as wide as ever.
Larry Dunne, Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford
'Longtermism' is an oxymoron
One has to ardently admire and solemnly salute the authentic optimism of Coalition 2030, whose recent wide-spectrum forum conceived the idea of a 'commissioner for future generations' to be appointed in Ireland to act as 'a sustainability tsar'. This would be enacted to ensure 'longtermism' is planted firmly in government decision-making. More power to their collective elbow. Ultra-worthy and all as the idea is, it is bordering on thinking on a grand scale.
'Longtermism' in statutory governance parlance has an innate oxymoronic essence woven through its conceptual wish-list. Of course it's imperative that governance should be securely planning ahead with future climate initiatives, and how. It's a no brainer. But will they go there ? Absolutely and shamefully not. The perennial democratic 'greed-jousting', aka party-political electioneering, will never allow such lofty considerations take root.
The recent demise of Green advocacy within parliamentary portals has put paid to any revolutionary shoots of biodiverse radicalism and climate urgency conversion.
That said, at least the notion of a 'sustainability tsar' has now been formally mooted, so perhaps the notion of transmogrifying traditionally blinkered self-serving political traditions along the path towards 'longtermism' can begin to take wings. Green wings, that is, not a drop of fossil fuel in sight, but they will need a permanently robust breeze not a blast of hot air.
Jim Cosgrove, Lismore, Co Waterford
Greyhounds do not deserve this
When is a dog not a dog'? When it is a greyhound. Under Irish Law Greyhounds are classified as 'livestock' the same as cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry. They are under the remit of the Department of Agriculture.
Last year, the Veterinary Council of Ireland changed its code of practice to prohibit the barbaric procedure of surgical artificial insemination on all dogs apart from greyhounds — existing legislation allows for this.
Surgical artificial insemination is worthy of inclusion in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, although even she may have found it a stretch. It necessitates removal of the uterus, injecting it with semen, reinserting it and stitching the animal up.
Following this high-risk procedure, the unfortunate animal is likely to be pregnant with between eight and 10 pups, putting a huge strain on the recent wound.
Yet one year after the public consultation on the matter we are still awaiting the outcome for greyhounds. Greyhounds are gentle creatures that do not deserve to be treated like this. No animal does.
There should be no exceptions to this ban. Neither should taxpayers' money be used to fund this industry. If it is a viable industry as it claims to be, why does it need a handout of €20m a year?
Joan Burgess, Annmount, Cork
Voice notes take away any doubt
Voice notes are the latest popular way to communicate. There are some who find the idea of listening to messages annoying. But, it could actually be a positive movement.
With text messages, there can be misunderstandings. Even something as simple as 'okay' can mean different things depending on tonal variations.
With voice notes, there is no doubt about the caller's intent. You can hear their mood, happy, sad or angry. There is no need for emojis or acronyms such as 'lol' to glean someone's mood.
It is a step towards bringing back the art of small talk and conversation. It also has the added benefit of making those terrible emojis completely obsolete.
John Jennings, Knocknacarra, Galway
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