Sir, – The negative campaigning evident in the presidential campaign, including using sexual and gender-based violence analogies as a political weapon, is both unedifying and disrespectful to survivors of abuse. The candidates should focus more on what they have to offer as a president.
The left exists democratically, people vote for it, and it is not a complete aberration, or pariah as is being suggested. Two recent presidents, Mary Robinson and Michael D Higgins, were from the left.
The current election also has echoes of how Mary McAleese’s background (not Orange as in Heather Humphreys case but “Green”, a Belfast Catholic) was targeted during her campaign (which is discussed in her biography).
Yet as a president she quietly reached out to unionists and had an important role in the peace process. If Heather Humphreys is elected president, she likewise will need to reach out and appeal to nationalists and republicans, and not just her own religious group.
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Let’s not also forget Pádraig Flynn’s remarks on an RTÉ radio programme in 1990, which he apologised for. He accused presidential candidate, Mary Robinson, of changing her image to suit the fashion of the time and of finding a newfound interest in her family. I van Yates recent political advice was to smear, smear, smear. The history of our female presidents’ campaigns shows none of this works. Mná na hÉireann are listening. – Yours, etc,
PROF LINDA CONNOLLY,
Maynooth University
Social Sciences Institute,
Maynooth University,
Kildare.
Sir, – The latest opinion poll of the voting intentions in the forthcoming presidential election suggest that Catherine Connolly is in a commanding lead over Heather Humphreys. The analyses of the results are both comprehensive and interesting.
What the poll does not identify is the effect of the intervention of former minister Ivan Yates, and his exhortation to Fine Gael to “smear the bejaysus” out of the opponent.
Even by the highly competitive nature of our presidential elections, the sentiment was crass and made an already dirty campaign even more tawdry.
This voter was in the ranks of the undecided up to that point, but it would take a blizzard to keep me from the polling station next week to cast my vote for the refined and restrained Ms Connolly. – Yours, etc,
FRANK WALSH,
Coolballow,
Wexford.
Sir, – Listening to the latest presidential debate on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland and with just a few days to go, both candidates for me at least remain uninspiring.
Considering the ignominy surrounding Jim Gavin’s withdrawal while astonishingly remaining on the ballot paper together with the controversy surrounding Maria Steen’s failed nomination bid, are we moving headlong towards the lowest ever turnout and the largest number of spoilt votes ever encountered in a presidential election?
What thought processes should such a scenario, if it materialises evoke for the new incumbent? – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL CALLAN,
Louth Village,
Dundalk.
Sir, – One wonders whether current and former Fianna Fáil taoisigh are doing Heather Humphreys any favours by endorsing her presidential campaign.
Imagine Garret FitzGerald’s reaction to his nominee being lauded by Charlie Haughey. – Yours, etc,
RITA O’BRIEN,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
Sir , – From listening to all the interviews of the two presidential candidates , one would think that they are contenders for the leadership of a political party .
Surely as, according to the Constitution, the president should be above politics, the contenders should be subject to a wider range of questions such as their interests in cultural activities , charitable work , family life , etc.
This would be more appropriate and would help the voters form a view of their ability to reach out to the Irish citizens on a day to day basis and hence their suitability for this very prestigious and high office ?
Yours, etc,
CHARLES SMYTH,
Kells,
Co Meath.
Sir, – Another presidential debate this morning on RTÉ. With so little interest in this fiasco of the upcoming election this seems a complete waste of time. All the questions have already been asked and answered.
There is still another week to endure. lt will be a relief when it is all over. – Yours, etc,
MARGARET BUTLER,
Booterstown,
Co Dublin.
House prices, North and South
Sir, – Newton Emerson writes that prices for larger houses at €689,000 in Shandon Park, (the epitome of an affluent liberal neighbourhood of Belfast) would be in the top 2 per cent of prices in Northern Ireland (“No, the Irish language does not ‘belong to us all’. Stop insisting that it does,” October 16th).
I wonder what would be the price for an equivalent part of Dublin, such as Donnybrook. Perhaps up to five times that amount to judge from the headline in the property supplement?
Leaving aside the rather complicated discussion on Irish language road signs in the article, the gap in house prices between Belfast and Dublin seems eminently to the benefit of those seeking to purchase in Belfast.
But it also begs the question of why prices throughout Dublin are so ridiculously high as to essentially exclude so many people from ever buying a house. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL HAMELL,
Courtlands,
Dublin 9.
Wilde card
Sir, – So, Oscar Wilde’s British Library reading pass has been reissued some 130 years after it was confiscated following his imprisonment, As the great man said, “I can believe anything as long as it is incredible”. – Yours, etc,
FRANK J BYRNE ,
Spain.
Coru regulations
Sir, – The Irish Council for Psychotherapy expresses a profound disagreement with the regulations for the profession of psychotherapy as recently published by Coru (“Psychotherapy regulator cited ‘wider implications’ in rejecting personal therapy proposal,” October 9th).
The regulations would see a collapse in standards of training and a ripple effect on practice into the future.
Particularly problematic here are the moves to drop the requirement to attend personal therapy over the course of training, the lack of requirements in relation to clinical supervision, the reduction to 200 hours of clinical experience, and the lack of a designated timeframe for training.
On behalf of our registrants and the public who use our services, we cannot agree to anything less than a rethinking of these regulations, with a clear stipulation that training should include mandatory psychotherapy, close clinical supervision, a maintenance of standards in relation to clinical hours in training, and a four-year duration of training.
Without such changes, we see a great risk to the public, who rely on this kind of service, and the effective ending of the profession of psychotherapy in Ireland.
It is imperative that Coru engage in a meaningful and collaborative consultation process with leaders in the profession, especially those with substantial experience in psychotherapy organisations and training programmes. – Yours, etc,,
RÚAIDHRÍ O’CONNOR,
Chief Executive Officer,
Irish Council for Psychotherapy,
Fitzwilliam Place,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – I recently wrote to Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and to Coru, expressing my concerns about the unacceptable and unsafe standards Coru has published to regulate psychotherapy and counselling. There are many issues with the standards, but the one I highlight in particular is terrifying.
Both of the responses, which were word for word copies, refer to keeping the public safe from risks “to the people who rely on psychotherapy services, many of whom are vulnerable or at a vulnerable stage of life”.
In my psychotherapy practice I work with and specialise in the area of suicide. I have published research on the same and I am currently undertaking my PhD focusing on the topic.
Internationally recognised best practices state explicitly that it is harmful and may lead to lives lost if a therapist attempts to rank a client’s “suicide risk”.
Coru’s standards include a requirement for therapists to rank mental health challenges as “mild/moderate/severe or complex”.
Coru claims to keep the public safe yet their current attempt will do the very opposite. This is proven in research and in practice. I shudder at the thought of lives lost if these standards are not rolled back. – Yours, etc,
LEO MUCKLEY,
Glengarriff
Co Cork.
Simple acts of kindness
Sir, – How life affirming it was to read of Mr Brian Hurson’s experience (Simple acts of kindness, Letters , October 16th).
For over 30 years this same man in his capacity as a surgeon, rather than passing tools, was receiving tools and instruments as he single handedly looked after the surgical needs of every Irish person with bone cancer in Ireland. I myself would like to believe it’s simple karma. – Yours, etc,
GARY O’TOOLE,
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon,
Cappagh National
Orthopaedic Hospital,
St Vincent’s Private Hospital,
Dublin.
Sir, – Reading Mr Hurson’s letter today it reminded me of a puncture I had two weeks ago on the busy road between Donegal and Ballyshannon.
I had barely got out of the car before a man pulled up in front of me on the hard shoulder, had his pneumatic jack whipped out of the back of his van and had the wheel changed in an instant.
I barely had time to thank him before he was merrily on his way with the promise from me of a donation to a charitable organisation on his behalf.
Is there possibly a tyre angel in our midst ? Thank you to all who make our day better by simply being their good selves. – Yours, etc,
PADDY HAMILL,
Bundoran,
Co Donegal.
Sea wall defences
Sir, – Further to your article of October 4th (“Some sea views to be lost”), I would like to endorse Kate Ruddock’s excellent letter of October 8th and register my concern about the insensitivity of Irish Rail’s flood defence plans for the Dart railway.
The proposed raising of the sea-facing wall by 1.3m along the line from Merrion Gates to Seapoint is a drastic measure which will effectively obliterate one of the finest views of Dublin Bay that has been enjoyed by generations of travellers, local and visiting.
There are few experiences to compare with leaving the city by train to see the sea and strand opening out at Merrion Gates.
Similarly, it is a pleasure to be accompanied by the sea on one’s right on a trip into town.
I am very disappointed by Iarnród Éireann’s current proposals that threaten at a stroke to deprive passengers of this unique experience of the beauty of the coastal environment.
I am also concerned about the disproportionate size and ugliness of the embankment of stones or “revetment” envisaged in the official brochure for the scheme at the southern end of White Rock beach.
This appears more than intrusive on a small, delicate and much-loved amenity. People like to walk from Killiney to White Rock and vice versa and I wonder if this will still be possible once this mass of stones is in place.
I would hope that Irish Rail will think again and devise new plans that recognise with due sensitivity the aesthetic and amenity value of the coastal rail areas in question.
I understand the need to ensure that the railway is protected from erosion and storm damage but in this case adding concrete to existing walls is not a solution.
Dublin city is fortunate to be close to the sea: it contributes immensely to its attraction and its environment, not to mention its tourist economy. In the words of WB Yeats, we need to tread softly in altering the coast and the railway that frames it: not only does it bring people to appreciate its natural beauty, it has also – up until now at least – allowed them to see it. – Yours, etc,
PAUL O’HANRAHAN,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.
The Kennedys’ visit to Ireland
Sir, – The Irish Times is to be complimented on the publication of the magnificent supplement “The Irish Presidency” (October 16th).
I understand it will be distributed to schools around the country and should prove of immense benefit to students of history and politics.
I do however, have one minor difficulty with your otherwise superb publication. In his article, your correspondent Harry McGee lists the more distinguished visitors who have graced the hallowed halls of Áras an Uachtaráin as guests of the various presidents.
Mr McGee describes how US president John F Kennedy “and his wife Jacqueline, were mobbed by crowds everywhere they went,” in the course of their state visit in 1963.
Most observers of the Kennedy visit mention that there was a sense of disappointment at the fact that the hugely glamorous Jacqueline was not present. She did in fact visit Éamon de Valera in 1967.
Perhaps Mr McGee has confused Kennedy’s Irish visit with his earlier one to France where he was accompanied by Jackie.
There she was given a delirious welcome and even managed to enthrall that all-but-unsatisfiable, intensely fastidious General Charles de Gaulle.
Indeed I feel that de Gaulle (then retired) should have featured on Mr McGee’s list of distinguished guests in the Áras. He not only visited but stayed over as the guest of president de Valera for several days in 1969.
Dev, a man not given to the light bestowal of praise in any quarter or to uttering extravagant sentiments is quoted as saying the more he knew de Gaulle the more he admired him. – Yours, etc,
FR IGGY O’DONOVAN,
Aherlow,
Co Tipperary.
Threats to Fianna Fáil
Sir, – Stephen Collins, in his recent Opinion piece (“The Coalition’s end is nigh unless it takes radical action,” October 17th) states Micheál Martin brought Fianna Fáil back “from the brink of extinction”.
In the 2011 general election, following the financial crash, Fianna Fáil received 387,358 first preference votes. This far exceeds the combined votes that the Social Democrats (106,028), Labour (102,487), Aontú (86134) and the Green Party (66,911) received in the most recent general election and none of these parties is facing extinction.
While undoubtedly Fianna Fáil received a shellacking in the 2011 general election, that vote did not pose an existential threat to the party. – Yours, etc,
PAUL WALSH,
Skerries,
Co Dublin.
