Madam, – Following the very warm welcome shown to the Queen and the US President, let’s hope we have put an end to sectarianism and racism in this country. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – In common with most people, I am broadly welcoming of President Obama’s visit here to Dublin, and Ireland.
However, I can’t help but notice that banners and signs are not allowed where he makes his public address at College Green, thus silencing both those who may support him, personally, and American policies – and those who object to him, and them.
It would appear that when one of the world’s biggest democracies comes to town, one of the world’s smallest steps aside. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I decided to pass on the jubilant celebrations which Ireland rolled out for US President Barack Obama.
Obama is the immediate boss of US Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner. Geithner is the gentleman who, according to Morgan Kelly’s recent apocalyptic piece (Opinion, May 7th) stymied an IMF proposal, last November, to “haircut” €30 billion of unguaranteed bank bonds by two-thirds. This obviously would have made our State’s current indebtedness and economic woes significantly easier. Geithner and the US government showed clearly where their priorities lay and what they thought of our predicament when they intervened in the interests of the bankers to insist that no “haircut” would take place and no favours would be shown to the Irish public.
Apologies then for not feeling in the mood to break out the shamrock and silly hat and extend a big céad míle fáilte to the people who, apparently, tightened the millstone round the necks of the Irish nation. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Obama’s declaration that Ireland is punching above its weight on, among other things, human rights was dealt a body-blow by the statement published on the very same day on the website of the Irish Human Rights Commission: “IHRC tells UN Ireland not meeting its obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture”. Sorry to spoil the party. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Full marks to the Queen. Disruption was minimal. I was able to cycle to work through Phoenix Park every day. Three out of 10 for Barak Obama so far. Phoenix Park is closed. I had to use an alternative route. No marks at all to Dublin City Council because of the state of the road surfaces. The road from Castleknock Gate through Blackhorse Avenue all the way to the river is in a dreadful state. Road subsidence all along the quays. Bad surface also on the road from Sth Gt George’s Street, through Aungier Street, Camden Street, Hatch Street. Obviously no repairs done for years. – Yours, etc,