Skilled labour

Sir, – Blaming employers for not having enough skilled staff in trades, particularly construction workers, doesn’t reflect the whole picture (Letters, December 13th).

Down through the years the Government has repeatedly called for more young school-leavers to take up apprenticeships. While improvements have been made, there is still a reluctance to consider such further education and trade options among this cohort.

As long as this attitude persists then maybe the ESRI is correct in its call for trades such as carpentry and plumbing to be open to non-EU workers (Business, December 9th). – Yours, etc,

TADHG McCARTHY,

Kamala Harris is a descendant of an Irish slave owner in Jamaica

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I went to Center Parcs abroad. Was it any cheaper than Ireland?

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Ukraine’s street pianos play on a decade after debuting during Maidan revolution

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Fine-tuning the Galway team began at the back of a classroom 35 years ago

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Bray,

Co Wicklow.