Sir, – It may be fun to imagine President Trump losing sleep over the Tánaiste’s latest TikTok but little matters less in politics than Irish foreign policy. Consistency would be nice, however.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has exploited Ukraine’s tragedy to advance what I believe is his ambition to join Nato. Meanwhile the very-online Simon Harris enjoys picking fights with Israel, a key US ally and major strategic partner of Nato.
These august statesmen seem not to realise that joining a US military alliance will entail sticking to a script written in Washington. Abandoning Irish neutrality means abandoning that other great Irish tradition – cheap, contradictory rhetoric about faraway conflicts. Too painful a sacrifice, surely? – Yours, etc,
AIDAN HARTE,
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Naas,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – You quote Simon Harris as accusing Mr Trump of “clearly engaging in revisionism on speed”. I would agree this assessment is completely accurate, maybe even a bit mild. I, however, am not the leader of a “diplomatic offensive” targeting the US president. Is the “diplomatic” part silent? – Yours, etc,
DARA O’DONNELL,
Portobello,
Dublin 8
Sir, – Simon Harris is becoming attached to using the phrase “on speed” to convey that something is an extreme example of a phenomenon. In recent days he has characterised President Trump’s assertion that Ukraine started the war as “revisionism on speed”. Four weeks ago, he described the behaviour of Opposition politicians in the Dáil chamber as “stunt politics on speed”. On both occasions, Mr Harris’s use of the phrase attracted headlines in international media outlets. Does the Tánaiste think that using it for emphasis endows him with street cred? Might this flippant usage be best avoided by a senior politician, on the basis that it appears to trivialise the abuse of a drug with well-documented health risks? – Yours, etc,
MARK COEN,
Windy Arbour,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – The reality is that the EU and UK have three times the population and 10 times the GDP of Russia.
If Europe gets its act together on defence, there is no way Russia would pose a threat to either Ukraine or the rest of Europe. – Yours, etc,
JOHN O’REILLY,
Lusk,
Co Dublin.
A chara, – Ireland, Europe and the world could do with a few more leaders with Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s principle and courage.
The first month of the new American regime has been marked by the pathetic genuflection of various “captains of industry” to Donald Trump, and hesitance on the part of European leaders to forcefully condemn galloping authoritarianism in the White House.
In that context, Mr Zelenskiy’s clarity on what Mr Trump is – a parrot for Russian disinformation – has been refreshing and raises the prospect of what might be if his European counterparts were as willing to call out Mr Trump’s many violations of democratic and human rights norms. The irony in all of this is that Mr Zelenskiy has much more to lose from not kowtowing to Mr Trump than any other head of government.
There is much for which to be grateful to the EU, particularly in Ireland, but one of its more questionable yet persistent claims has been its status as a promoter of liberal democratic norms. If the steadfastness with which Europeans are willing to promote those norms collapses when confronted by power – or a “weak” but unscrupulous state willing to stem the flow of refugees to Europe – the concept of “Normative Power Europe” falls with it. Furthermore, the sight of EU leaders prevaricating only emboldens Mr Trump, his followers and other Trumps-in-waiting around the world.
If, instead of hiding behind diplomatic courtesy and unrealistic hopes that Mr Trump will go easy on us, Europe showed true commitment to the values upon which the EU is supposedly founded, we could avoid being supporting actors in his authoritarian fantasy. If not, it may not be a fantasy much longer, and Mr Zelenskiy’s courage may become a tragic footnote in the story of how democracy again failed in the West. – Is mise,
JOHN HOGAN,
Assistant Professor of International Relations,
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam,
The Netherlands.
Landscape and the environment
A chara, – Ireland’s landscape is more than just scenery. It is central to our cultural identity, history and collective well-being and provides a sense of place, continuity and belonging. The beauty of our natural environment, from rolling hills to rugged coastlines, enriches our lives in ways that industry, multinational corporations or economic models can ever replicate. Yet, over the past decade, this invaluable asset has been relentlessly sacrificed to satisfy the demands of multinationals and big tech, with our government acting as its willing facilitator.
Despite signing the European Landscape Convention in 2002, Ireland has failed to implement a meaningful National Landscape Strategy. There is no comprehensive suite of regional landscape or seascape character assessments for Ireland, meaning that local county development plans dictate policy in an inconsistent, haphazard manner. The Government has utterly neglected its duty to establish a framework that balances economic interests with environmental and societal well-being.
Instead of strategic planning, we now have a disproportionate burden placed on Ireland to accommodate industrial-scale wind farms and data centres. Why is Ireland expected to bear such a massive share of these developments when our European counterparts have only a fraction of what is being imposed here? Are we to become Europe’s mini-generation and data hub, a digital and energy colony serving international corporate interests while our own citizens are subjected to environmental injustice? While this may advantage big business, where is the public debate around what is best for the people who live here?
The offshore wind sector is a glaring example of this failure. There has been no proper Strategic Environmental Assessment to determine the least harmful locations for vast turbine arrays; some over 324 metres tall and planned just 5km from shore. The absence of an effective Marine Spatial Plan further exposes Ireland’s lack of foresight, leaving our marine environment unprotected and unregulated while international energy companies advance their massive offshore projects at breakneck speed.
Equally alarming is the explosion of data centres, now consuming approximately 25 per cent of our national electricity supply; a figure projected to rise to 30 per cent in the coming years. In contrast, the European average is just 3 per cent to 4 per cent. Instead of halting this unchecked growth, the Government has doubled down, now requiring data centres to have their own back-up power, even if that means burning fossil fuels (“Data centres to supply electricity under proposed new rules”, Business, February 18th). This policy is not just reckless; it is a direct contradiction of our climate goals.
An Taisce (“Vision and urgency lacking in Government response to climate crisis”, Opinion & Analysis, February 18th) has rightly highlighted the Government’s complete lack of joined-up thinking. Rather than creating a strategy that integrates environmental protection with economic development, we have a short-term, industry-led free-for-all. The result is increasing public resistance; not because people oppose renewable energy or digital infrastructure, but because they oppose the reckless way it is being imposed.
If Ireland is serious about protecting its environment and landscapes while serving its people, we need more than blind adherence to corporate demands. We need a National Landscape Strategy that genuinely aligns with the European Landscape Convention. We need proper Strategic Environmental Assessments for all major energy and infrastructure plans and projects. We need a Marine Spatial Plan that ensures fair and sustainable zoning of our marine resources. And above all, we need leadership that prioritises long-term interests of Irish citizens over relentless demands of big business.
The Irish landscape is not just a blank canvas for corporate expansion. It is our heritage, our home, and our future. As a nation, we must step back from prioritising multinational interests and, instead, adopt a people-centred approach. Anything less is a betrayal of our citizens and generations to come. – Is mise,
MICHAEL O’MEARA,
Fenor,
Co Waterford.
Alcohol labels and health
Sir, – The Government wants to push ahead with labels on the back of wine bottles telling us alcohol is bad for our health, and of course alcohol abuse is very dangerous.
But there is a considerable body of evidence which indicates consumption of red wine at low levels is beneficial in reducing heart disease.
Can we have another label on the front of the bottle extolling the health benefits of low to moderate red wine consumption please? – Yours, etc,
FRANK NEENAN,
Carlow.
A turn-up for the books
Sir, – Ireland Reads is a Government initiative to celebrate the joy of reading. It’s funded by Healthy Ireland and supported by public libraries and various organisations that promote reading and literacy. Saturday has been designated as “Ireland Reads Day” when people are urged to get lost in a good book. It doesn’t matter where you read or how well you read as long as you read, As a keen reader, I’ll spend some time reading on Saturday and probably purchase a newly released novel to add to my collection. Book shops have an eclectic supply of books to suit all tastes. What better way to introduce a child to reading than a gift of an age-appropriate book? There is also an excellent public library service throughout the country with books to suit all tastes. Membership of the local library, which is free, introduces the recipient to a lifelong love of reading. Between the covers of a book, readers of all ages are exposed to adventure, excitement, anticipation and knowledge. Regular reading stirs the imagination, arouses curiosity and inspires creativity. With a book in your hands, you’re in good company. – Yours, etc,
BILLY RYLE,
Tralee,
Co Kerry.
Garda fitness
Sir, – An individual’s fitness level impacts on, among other things, the confidence and ability to support and defend one’s self physically and on the pace of mental and physical recovery consequent to the debility of illness, accident or personal assault.
On these basic considerations alone, it is regrettable to note the lowering of fitness standards for gardaí (“Garda fitness test relaxed for new entrants”, News, February 20th).
The role of a Garda is challenging enough without lowering the self-preservation aspect of the job. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL GANNON,
Kilkenny.
The wolf is at the door
Sir, – Regarding your article “The company of wolves: should large predators be reintroduced to Ireland” (Science, February 20th), I, for one, welcome our new lupine overloads. – Yours, etc,
ANTHONY MUNNELLY,
Cabra,
Dublin 7.
Cabin in the garden
Sir, – While I agree with sheds or cabin in your back garden as an interim measure to house homeless adult children, I take umbrage at the suggestion that “there is always the potential to encourage downsizing and facilitate the care of elderly relatives in situ” (“The Irish Times view on easing planning rules: clearing the ground for garden living”, February 19th). I am now giving notice to my children that I will never be downsizing to a shed in the garden and will be remaining for ever in the “big” house! – Yours, etc,
MÁIRE NÍ MHURCHÚ,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Those intending to build cabins in their back gardens should bear in mind that badgers have feelings too. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL KEEGAN,
Booterstown,
Co Dublin.
We do like to be beside the seaside
Sir, – Just a warning to your readers who may be dreaming of a short walk to the beach with small children if they buy in the “coastal village of Lusk” (Property, February 20th). Lusk is five kilometres as the crow flies from the sea. Humans must take a winding road. – Yours, etc,
LYDIA GILLEN,
Skerries,
Co Dublin.
