Sir, – We shouldn’t mince our words. The scenes last week from the Oval Office combined with this week’s freezing of US aid to Ukraine are utterly shameful. Ukrainians are fighting for their lives, freedom, and security and the US president seeks to throw them under the bus. Now the entire architecture of European security has been undermined. The EU is seeking to react as quickly as it can, but what of Ireland? We need to step up and play our part.
The European Commission has proposed a major new programme of EU financing for investment in Europe’s defence capabilities, as well as mobilising other sources of funding such as the European Investment Bank and private investment. Ireland cannot sit this one out; we should be to the fore in making it happen.
We have always been proud of our neutrality, and rightly so. But being neutral shouldn’t mean being indifferent. It doesn’t mean turning our backs when democracy is under attack or pretending that what is happening on the other side of Europe doesn’t affect us.
If the past few years, or even days, have taught us anything, it’s that peace is not a passive thing. It’s not something we can just wish for. It is something that has to be protected, defended, and sometimes fought for.
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We need to have an honest conversation about what being part of the EU means for our security. We live in a world where cyber attacks can shut down hospitals, where lies spread faster than truth, and where economic blackmail is just another weapon in the arsenal. Ireland is a small country, but we’re a big target. The cyber attack on our health service in 2021 proved that. And let’s not forget that we are home to some of the biggest tech companies in the world.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, Ireland played our part. We took in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees, we supported EU sanctions, and we contributed non-lethal aid. That’s not standing by, that’s stepping up. Now it is the actions of the new US administration that appear to be putting Ukraine’s future at risk.
At the end of the day, peace takes work. It takes investment. It takes moral courage.
The EU has given us prosperity, security, and a place at the table. Now, it’s time for us to step up and play our part. Because peace doesn’t defend itself. It doesn’t just happen. It has to be worked for and cherished, because we will miss it when it’s gone. – Yours, etc,
REGINA DOHERTY MEP,
Fine Gael,
Dublin constituency,
European Parliament,
Brussels.
Sir, – I note Senator Tom Clonan (Letters, March 5th) states that he is going to table an amendment to the proposed Government legislation on deploying Irish peacekeeping troops requiring that the deployment achieves a two-thirds majority of both the Dáil and Seanad. However, Article 15.11.1 of the Constitution provides that “All question in each House shall, save as otherwise provided by this Constitution, be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting other than the Chairman or presiding member”. Such an amendment would therefore be contrary to the Constitution. Moreover, it should be noted that Article 28.3.1 provides that “War shall not be declared and the State shall not participate in any war save with the assent of Dáil Éireann”.
It would be a curious situation if the deployment of peace-keeping troops required a two-thirds majority while a simple majority vote would allow for participation in war. – Yours, etc,
PAUL WALSH,
Skerries,
Co Dublin.
Climate crisis and multibillion fines
Sir, – The reports from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and the Climate Change Advisory Council emphasising estimated fines that will be “imposed” on Ireland are counterproductive and could unintentionally contribute to a smouldering resentment toward the EU (“Ireland risks fine of up to €26 billion if EU-agreed climate targets missed”, News, March 4th).
The political reality is that in today’s right-of-centre Europe these fines may never materialise.
However, placing them in the broader political context of an emerging European defence policy, increased defence spending, changing neutrality, decreased social spending and digital regulations that are anathema to big tech companies creates an agenda that is hostile to the EU.
In a world where disinformation, and foreign information manipulation and interference are the new norm, it is easier than ever to destabilise democratic debate.
The current geopolitical turmoil underlines the vital importance of Ireland’s EU membership in ensuring a safe, secure and sustainable democratic future for our children. Without an updated holistic vision that resonates with people’s daily preoccupations, we could find ourselves sleepwalking to Irexit in a few years. – Yours, etc,
DECLAN DEASY,
Castlebellingham,
Co Louth.
Sir, – The report released by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and Climate Change Advisory Council provides an eye-watering vision of the potential costs involved in failing to tackle the climate crisis in line with EU targets. However, in reality the costs are only a fraction of the actual costs involved in Ireland and other developed nations fail to meet their climate targets.
The cost of inaction is far more than just the fines involved. We can already see the impacts of this inaction here at home and in many of the most vulnerable countries across the globe where climate change poses an existential threat.
Failure to reduce carbon emission targets will not just incur fines but will increase the cost of adaptation and loss and damage.
Ambitious climate action is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do. – Yours, etc,
MAURICE SADLIER,
Programmes and Policy Director,
World Vision Ireland,
Dublin 6.
Home insulation and bureaucracy
Sir, – Further to Niamh Towey’s article “South Dublin homeowner faces imprisonment or 5,000 fine after retrofitting home under Government grant” (News, March 3rd), surely there are enough determinations on matters of this nature by An Bord Pleanála that South Dublin County Council should not be inconsistently assessing these issues on a case by case basis? In light of our pressing need to upgrade our housing stock on a national level to reduce carbon emissions, the local authority should be providing clear guidance and assisting the public, rather than penalising people who are investing heavily in their home (and in the sustainable future of the planet).
Ironically, the home energy improvement page of the South Dublin County Council website make no reference to requirements for planning permission for external thermal insulation, which is not helpful.
Proper planning should be about the big picture. Whether a dwelling in a housing estate has a smooth external insulation render system or the original cement render and pebbledash finish does not constitute a material alteration in my opinion and is irrelevant in the broader debate of tackling the climate crisis. Do we really need to be burdening a dysfunctional planning system with such matters and is it in any way helpful in meeting our climate targets? – Yours, etc,
KEVIN ROONEY, MRIAI
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4.
Sir, – I read with annoyance and a certain element of disquiet about the plight of Samantha and Clive Ryan. It is quite clear from the news report that it was a genuine error – the failure to seek an exemption under the planning regulations. The absurdity of the situation is enhanced by the fact that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland – a State institution – was also clearly unaware of the regulation when it provided a financial grant to the Ryans for the work. The registered contractor was also unaware of the regulations.
If anyone is to blame for this debacle, in my opinion it is South Dublin County Council, which should have informed the State institutions and the registered contractors in relation to the relevant regulations concerning external insulation, and should have endeavoured as much as possible to inform the general public. It is quite apparent, in my view, that it failed in its duty of responsibility to do this and the result is that the full might of the State’s bureaucracy was levelled against the home owners.
South Dublin County Council has stated that, in relation the the enforcement of its regulations, it “must act as considered appropriate”. I presume that it deems it to be appropriate that the Ryans should face the prospect of imprisonment as a consequence of a genuine mistake.
The elected representatives in the South Dublin County Council constituency must take ownership of this issue as it goes to the very core of our relationship with, and trust in, our State bureaucracies.
My heart goes out to the Ryans, and I can only imagine the stress, anxiety and frustration they must be experiencing on foot of their innocent mistake.
And with a certain degree of apprehension I harbour an alarming thought: there but for the grace of God go any of us. – Yours, etc,
ROBERT P GOGAN,
Kilbeggan,
Co Westmeath.
A new global dispensation
Sir, – Historians of the first World War era speak of the “Wilsonian moment”. While the hope for a more enlightened world order embodied in that phrase was not fully realised, it nevertheless represented a value system which guided US foreign policy (however imperfectly) for over 100 years. But no longer. As Michael McDowell, among others, has emphasised (“Trump wants to divide, destroy and subjugate the EU”, Opinion & Analysis, March 5th), Mr Trump has now abandoned these values and has ushered in a new – and deeply amoral – dispensation in international affairs. We are in the “Trumpian moment”, and let us hope it does not define the next 100 years. – Yours, etc,
FELIX M LARKIN,
Cabinteely,
Dublin.
US military aid to Israel
Sir, – Donald Trump has “paused” military aid to Ukraine in order to achieve peace. Maybe he should give some consideration to doing the same about military aid to Israel in the interests of a lasting peace. – Yours, etc,
ANNE KENNEDY,
Tallaght,
Dublin 24.
Rugby in the afternoon
Sir, – Gerry Thornley asks “Why the hell is Ireland v France on at 2.15pm on a Saturday?” (Sport, March 4th).
For some of those attending the game, the early kick-off might come as a relief that they might actually get to see the match rather than spending their time standing up to let “fans” get to their seats with trays of pints or going to the toilet. – Yours, etc,
MIKE MORAN,
Clontarf,
Dublin 3.
Sir, – While Gerry Thornley might bemoan the timing of the Ireland v France rugby international this coming Saturday, his opinions might not be as widely shared amongst the rugby supporting public as he might like.
As a very long-standing rugby supporter, I long for the days when one could get the train to Dublin in the morning, enjoy the game and return home on the train that evening. These late kick-offs do not facilitate the travelling public, who back in the day knew how to support their team without the need for frequent visits to the bar during the game. I can’t prove a correlation between the new breed of fan who seems to be unfamiliar with how to cheer on the team, ie create an atmosphere, and not have to make multiple runs to the bar with this new fad for late kick-offs. But maybe there is something in it. – Yours, etc,
AIDAN McGRATH,
Waterford.
Many Oscars, one Donald
Sir, – Congratulations to Donald Clarke on predicting 19 of the 23 Oscar winners this year (“Oscars 2025: Who will win and who should win?”, Film, March 1st). He predicted the winners of 11 out of 12 of the major categories. The exception here was that of Best Actress, although he did suggest that Mikey Madison should win, and she did. May I suggest to the editor that he be used next week to give his predictions for Cheltenham? – Yours, etc,
ANTOIN MURPHY,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.
St Patrick’s Day in the White House
Sir, – As Taoiseach Micheál Martin visits President Trump this St Patrick’s Day with the iconic shamrock, here’s a thought for him: Ireland has just spent €1.4 million on a security hut inspired by the US president’s great hairstyle. Surely that’s worth him reconsidering tariffs on Irish goods? – Yours, etc,
SHEILA FAGAN,
Drogheda,
Co Louth.
