Letters to the Editor, January 23rd: On sound and fury in the Dáil, and Independent thinking

Sir, – You published a letter of mine on January 18th last, where I suggested that, given the background, the Ceann Comhairle, for valid governance reasons, should recuse herself from taking a formal decision on the speaking rights issue.

Subsequent events in Dáil Éireann would suggest that option would have been the right course to follow. The matter should have been examined, in advance, by the most senior civil servant in the Oireachtas, the Clerk of the Dáil, who is also secretary general of the Houses of the Oireachtas Service. It is highly likely that such a technical and administrative process would have avoided the rancour that took place.

One wonders why common sense did not prevail in the first place. – Yours, etc,

MARTIN McDONALD,

The Music Quiz: Who is Rachel Agatha Keen better known as?

I bonded with my new friend over our mutual hatred of WhatsApp groups

From Mongolia to Dublin: ‘Coming to Ireland was a blessing. It was a great move for my life, I have no regrets’

Terenure,

Dublin 12.

Sir, – Two months after the general election and with the potential of numerous economic headwinds coming our way, we were left with this bewildering start to our “New Dáil”, which frankly resembled the chaos of a first day of primary school. Meanwhile, Mr Trump has sent a very strong message on his intentions regarding corporate taxation to which we are grossly overly exposed.

Stop this childish behaviour and get on with the business of governing the country. – Yours, etc,

VERNON RUSHE,

Rathgar,

Dublin 6.

Sir, – Should the debacle in the Dáil be covered by your political correspondents, or in the sports section, or might a theatre critic be needed who specialises in farce? – Yours, etc,

DAVID CURRAN,

Knocknacarra,

Galway.

A chara, – Did the Opposition make best use of the scarce speaking time in the Dáil yesterday and what did it achieve on behalf of the Irish public? – Yours, etc,

NOEL HUSTON,

Athlone,

Co Westmeath.

Sir, – Judging by the chaos and bitterness on display in the Dáil yesterday morning, I wouldn’t bet on the new government lasting six months, let alone five years. – Yours, etc,

PATRICK O’BYRNE,

Phibsborough,

Dublin 7.

Sir, – Frank J Byrne wondered (Letters, January 20th) if the negotiations leading to the formation of the new government were fuelled by Quality Street, Roses or Celebrations.

In the light of the antics in the Dáil sessions yesterday, I think it’s a shame there wasn’t a general issue of gobstoppers. – Yours, etc,

GEMMA McCROHAN,

Dublin 16.

Independent thinking

Sir, – Miriam Lord references TD Barry Heneghan’s appearance on Ireland AM (“Chaos for coalition colleagues as RIGs and Raegionals openly identify as part of opposition”, Politics, January 18th). During the interview, Mr Heneghan, when questioned on his decision to work with Michael Lowry, stated that, “Listen, I’m an Independent. I don’t get to choose who I work with”. This leaves me wondering: if an Independent TD cannot choose who they work with, then what on earth can they do? – Yours, etc,

ROBERT HENEGHAN,

Drumcondra,

Dublin 9.

American expansionism

Sir, – Daniel Geary (“Trump’s inauguration address tapped into America’s violent history of expansionism”, Opinion & Analysis, January 22nd) condemns American “expansionism.” However, without that expansionism across the North American heartland, the United States would never have become the attractive refuge of emigration for the scores of millions of European immigrants who moved there during the greatest migration in history, that of 1800 to 1920. Several million of those migrants were of course Irish.

Dr Geary, like other American liberals, ignores the long history of inter-tribal aggression and expansionism among American native tribes, who were hardly angels of peace. He also condemns the conquest by the United States of much of Mexico in the 1840s, ignoring that Mexico was itself a product of imperial conquest and was dominated by its white, Spanish-descended elite.

I find it rather bizarre how some Americans in recent years decry the growth of their country in the 19th century. If they really regret this historic phenomenon, perhaps they should emigrate back to the European countries their ancestors hailed from. Otherwise, bemoaning the creation and expansion of the United States while enjoying the privilege of being an American citizen is surely hypocritical?

American liberals today also tend to ignore that the great liberals of American history, from Jefferson to FDR, Truman and JFK, never for a moment regretted the creation and expansion of their nation.

Dr Geary also turns a blind eye to the fact that the United States is hardly exceptional when it comes to expansionism. Imperialism has been the hallmark of countless civilisations throughout history, from the Assyrians to the Arabs to the Ottomans and the Mongols. – Yours, etc,

Dr FRANK GILES,

Ballsbridge,

Dublin 4.

The art of the deal

Sir, – I read with interest Fintan O’Toole’s article “Deal is the dirtiest four-letter word in Irish politics” (Opinion & Analysis, January 12th), which is critical of the arrangement between the new prospective government and Independent TDs.

Indeed, Fintan O’Toole’s article examines the various political arrangements to support governments throughout recent history and is equally critical of these deals in the formation of previous governments.

However, conspicuous by its absence is any mention of the infamous Gregory Deal, where in return for specific support for his constituency, Tony Gregory struck a deal with Charles Haughey and agreed to support Haughey’s government of the day.

The rights and wrongs of that particular deal can be argued; however, what is very clear is that Fintan O’Toole’s ire toward these political deals seems to be, at the very least, selective, and mostly concentrated on deals involving Independent TDs from outside the Pale. – Yours, etc,

JOHN LEVINS,

Newcastlewest,

Co Limerick.

Anti-social behaviour

Sir, – In new and old housing estates across Ireland, especially in working-class areas, communities must endure all sorts of anti-social behaviour. Vandalism, crime, and “minor” assaults are everyday occurrences. Anyone who regularly gets public transport, meanwhile, will witness ugly, threatening antics, and far worse. A more violent or outrageous incident (perhaps one placed on social media) may prompt some hand-wringing from politicians and commentators, but no one expects any action of note.

Much of this behaviour does not appear in crime statistics, of course; the offenders are often boys under 18, so prosecutions are not taken. Juvenile offenders, the exasperated residents of the areas they ruin, lawyers, and gardaí, all know that there is no real sanction for anti-social behaviour in Ireland.

As with litter, derelict buildings, and poor urban planning, it is something Irish people accept as a natural condition of living here.

Those with the power to combat this problem – a minister for justice, for example – seem defeated by an undergraduate-level analysis that, on the one hand, urges empathy for the social, economic, and familial conditions of the offenders and, on the other, advocates for their harsh and dramatic punishment.

Paralysed by these two well-worn perspectives, and seemingly uninterested in alternative approaches, they do precisely nothing.

A politician who, with reference to the experiences of other countries, delivered innovative and highly practical solutions to the scourge of anti-social behaviour – solutions that above all focus on the greater good and the needs of law-abiding citizens – would quickly become the most popular in the country and would do the State huge and tangible service. It is somewhat baffling, therefore, that none, bar the usual rhetoric, have it as a priority. – Yours, etc,

ANDREW QUINN,

Clongriffin,

Dublin 13.

Teenagers, phones and sleep

Sir, – New research emphasises what we already know – less than half of Irish teenagers are getting enough sleep.

Recommended guidelines are eight to 10 hours of sleep nightly. Yet preliminary results from Planet Youth’s survey in December found that less than half (45 per cent) of teens reported getting eight hours plus sleep per night.

There is mounting evidence of links between chronic sleep deprivation and poor health. This includes behaviour problems and aggression, poor school performance, weight gain, depression, moodiness, anxiety, weakened immunity, sleep terrors and nightmares and increased suicidal ideation.

Sleep deprivation is one reason why phones in bedrooms are a really bad idea. But it’s not the only reason.

The national helpline Parentline recently reported that an increasing number of parents are seeking help to deal with children viewing pornography. Calls related to social media increased significantly in 2024 while more parents than ever are calling the helpline about easy access to pornography.

According to the Left to their Own Devices report from CyberSafeKids, over three-quarters (77 per cent) of 8 to 12 year olds said their parents cannot see what they are doing online and over half (55 per cent) did not tell a parent when they encountered harmful content.

The reality is that unrestricted access to online content is leaving children as young as nine missing out on adequate sleep at a key stage of brain development while also being at risk of exposure to predatory behaviour and pornography.

The draft programme for government has included comprehensive commitments to protecting children and young people online, including promoting digital literacy in schools and scoping ways to enforce age verification obligations on online service providers.

In the meantime, as we wait for the programme for government to be implemented, a monumental step that parents can take right now is to take all digital technology out of children’s and teens’ bedrooms every night. – Yours, etc,

Dr CATHERINE CONLON,

Cork.

Garda recruitment

Sir, – The programme for government included the recruitment of 5,000 gardaí between 2025 and 2030. While these programmes are aspirational, we know from experience and data that this recruitment drive will not succeed because of a number of factors.

Recruitment and retention in An Garda Síochána has seen a deficit in the numbers put forward.

Taking into consideration the numbers retiring or resigning, or those who leave on sick grounds, the numbers mooted under a new government are unrealistic and to a large extent unachievable.

Sadly, a number of factors have come into play this past number of years when we saw a sizable number of gardaí resign for a number of different reasons, even though the Garda Commissioner has, like the former minister for justice, attempted to downplay its significance.

In 2023, 169 members of the gardaí resigned, with over 280 resigning in the past five years. Those figures speak for themselves and show that there is a major, but not insurmountable problem, within the force, but those at the top, including the minister, failed to stop it from happening.

One of those reasons is the issue of enforced and overzealous disciplinary matters implemented by Garda hierarchy, some who see it as a stepping-stone to further promotion.

While discipline must be maintained, there is an underlying problem within the force and that is one of morale. When disciplinary probes last for years on end, confidence in the process diminishes.

While private companies will not enact the same strict disciplinary processes as the Garda Síochána, they attempt to find solutions to a problem, not punish or scapegoat those who in good faith acted honourably. – Yours, etc,

CHRISTY GALLIGAN,

(Retired Garda sergeant),

Letterkenny,

Co Donegal.

VAT and the hospitality sector

Sir, – John McManus writes that the “case for a cut in VAT on hospitality is not a strong one” (“Healy-Raes, VAT cuts and the politics of ‘kiss-it-better’ government”, Business, Opinion, January 22nd).

A total of 612 restaurants, cafés, gastropubs and other food-serving hospitality businesses have permanently closed their doors since the VAT rate for the sector increased from 9 per cent to 13.5 per cent on September 1st, 2023, according to the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) in a submission to government before the last budget.

While it is true that hotels and larger establishments are doing well, if one lives in rural communities, the loss of often busy small and local cafes and eateries is more acutely felt.

Some of the closures were due to the warehousing of Covid-19 debt becoming a financial burden that could not be met but for others it is simply the cumulative costs of doing business in a high-cost environment.

Nobody will begrudge the Healy-Raes if their influence helps lower the outgoings of small food and entertainment businesses and results in more financially viable small businesses in the sticks. – Is mise,

TOM McELLIGOTT,

Listowel,

Co Kerry.