Importing all this food from abroad is a waste
WE have had the best summer in years – difficult for growers but not impossible – yet we cannot support our own.
Doing some shopping today I needed herbs and vegetables for a stir fry. Please note the country of origin for the following: bay leaves... Morocco; asparagus... Peru; green beans... Kenya; most fresh herbs... Morocco; sugar snap peas... Zimbabwe.
The carbon footprint in all cases is mind-boggling but surely somebody in Ireland can grow this produce and give us a chance to support local businesses.
HUGH JERMYN, Carrigaline, Co. Cork.
Robinson’s republic?
SO it appears that it has now become Peter Robinson’s turn to favour a unification of Ireland’s 32 counties?
Here is a man, along with his sidekick Ian Paisley, who ranted and roared for years against unifying the 32 counties of Ireland.
Unquestionably these two people, (Paisley/Robinson), were principal political players in the subsequent conflict that occurred for or against Ireland’s unification.
Now I am sure I am not alone in wondering what sort of unified Ireland Peter Robinson has in mind?
Is it a 32-county ‘independent’, standalone Ireland in the world of global trade, or is it a 32-county ‘independent’ Ireland in a working/trading relationship with England, Scotland and Wales, or is it a 32-county ‘non-independent’ Ireland governed by the 27 countries of the European Union? I would be most interested to hear which Ireland does Peter Robinson favour. HARRY STEPHENSON, Kircubbin, Co. Down.
Save the rain
THIS rainfall, should we celebrate?
TDs have been asking the public to refrain from blaming Irish Water for the current drought problem, because they inherited an antiquated water system full of leaks!
Irish Water took over in a country where rainfall is the norm, where torrential rain has caused burst pipes, fatalities, burst river banks and has left homes in many parts of the country unable to get insurance due to the high risk of flooding. Just a few short months ago farmers were devastated and animals starving due to waterlogged farms. Authorities were implying we needed weeks of dry weather because the problem was so grave. They got the dry weather (weeks of it) and now we need weeks of rain to deal with problems arising from that?
Is it not high time that Irish Water had some forward planning in place and begin to save the rain that falls on our beautiful island and therefore allow us all (especially children) to enjoy the first glorious summer we have had in 40 years, without running the risk of being arrested for using a hosepipe. It could only happen in Ireland. JOSEPHINE CUNNINGHAM,
Swords, Co. Dublin.
Michael D is not too old
SO I have read the letter from Brendan O’Brien (published on July 26, 2018) entitled, ‘Step aside, Michael D’.
The letter stated that President Michael D Higgins should step aside because of his age and that he will be into his 80s when he retires. Age should not be a barrier if a person is able to carry out their duties. President Higgins continues to perform his duties to an exceptionally high standard. Even, Mr O’Brien cannot argue that Mr Higgins did not fulfil his duties magnificently. He has represented our country in a manner that makes one proud to be Irish over the past seven years.
Well done, Michael D, and on your decision to run for a second term, good for you! I will certainly be voting for you. Don’t let age be a barrier to stop people fulfilling their potential and their destiny. MARIE O’CARROLL,
Naas, Co. Kildare.
Back Duffy? No, I’m out
AS a longtime campaigner against blood sports I will not be voting for Gavin Duffy if he gets to run for President. Others may admire his brilliant business career and TV role as a Dragon, and help him on his way to the Áras, but I’m definitely out.
He’s a member of the Louth Hunt and a former chairman of the Hunting Association of Ireland. I hasten to add that he is perfectly entitled to hold those positions because fox hunting is legal in Ireland, unfortunately.
I’m glad he’s seeking a nomination though because it affords the many Irish people who disapprove of setting dogs after foxes and hares for fun to query his support for such activities. Eight years ago, he was to the forefront of a nationwide campaign by an alliance of pro-blood sport associations that aimed to block the passage of a Fianna Fáil/Green Party Bill to ban stag hunting.
Thankfully they failed and the majestic stags of Co. Meath can now run free, no longer subjected to those prolonged chases that ended with them dropping down from exhaustion, their bodies ripped and bleeding.
If, at the end of his run for the Áras, Mr Duffy feels bruised and emotionally battered by the ordeal, as have so many presidential hopefuls, I hope he will spare a thought for all those foxes that endured far worse in the name of sport. JOHN FITZGERALD, Callan, Co. Kilkenny.