Merkel’s departure is a warning for the globe
CONSTERNATION and worry generated by the announced departure of Angela Merkel as German chancellor is another stern warning of just how fragile and inadequate economic policy is within the EU and the world.
The impending danger does not arise from the departure of one person, but from the utter failure to recognise and adapt to new economic capability, placing global economics in possibly the most precarious position ever experienced.
The financial crisis of 2008 has been gravely misunderstood and so-called remedial action is entirely inappropriate and inadequate to ward off a much greater and more catastrophic collapse.
The crash of that year was not a ‘recession’; it was a first serious warning of entirely changed economic conditions. It should have been interpreted as an absolute necessity to develop economic ideology to cope with newly acquired ‘sufficiency’ rather than persist with a ‘growth’ driven necessity which prevailed from the dawn of human existence.
The question is often asked, ‘did we learn anything from the crash of ten years ago?’ Apparently not. We try to keep unwanted and unnecessary growth on life support while ignoring the greatest leap forward economic ability has ever achieved. We have entered an era of abundant sufficiency. If we continue trying to manage it with ‘growth’ ideology we are heading for disaster greater than anything ever experienced before.
PADRAIC NEARY, Co. Sligo.
Our wildlife woes
THE World Wildlife Fund’s report on the decline in global wildlife populations is an out-and-out shocker. Humans appear hell-bent on destroying our natural environment, the wonderful species we share this planet with, and ultimately ourselves.
Ireland is not exempt from this reckless behaviour and the craven political inaction that threatens wildlife. The curlew is now on the brink of extinction in Ireland. It wasn’t until 2012, when its numbers had plummeted by up to 96%, that a long overdue ban on curlew shooting was finally put in place.
The hen harrier has declined by a devastating 50% in numbers over the past 40 years, and yet a conservation plan proposed by Heritage Minister Josepha Madigan would, if fully implemented, push it closer to extinction, forcing the endangered bird to breed in completely unsuitable parts of the countryside.
And then there is the shameful treatment of our iconic Irish hare, a sub-species of the Mountain Hare that provides a living link with the Ice Age of 10,000 years ago. It has been in decline for decades due mainly to loss of habitat resulting from urbanisation, and modern farm practices that create vast mono-cultural tracts of grass and cereals.
Habitat loss for the Irish hare is exacerbated by the activities of more than 70 coursing clubs, and widespread poaching. Despite being aware of its fragile conservation status, successive govern- ments have shamefully seen fit to license the capture of up to 10,000 hares each year for use as live bait. So, while polar bears sit forlornly on shrinking ice floes, elephants and rhinos are shot for their tusks and ivory, and lions, tigers, monkeys, bears and giraffes are pointlessly blasted to death by trophy hunters, we have created our own little hell for wildlife in Ireland.
We could do our bit (however small) for the magnificent creatures with which share this planet by at least outlawing blood sports and offering effective protection to all endangered species on this island. JOHN FITZGERALD, Callan, Co. Kilkenny.
Priorities all wrong
THERE are two machines in Ireland used for thrombectomy procedures for patients who had a stroke one in Dublin and one in Cork which can save a patient from catastrophic damage after a stroke. The Dublin machine located at Beaumont Hospital is on its last legs and needs to be replaced at a cost of €1.5million to continue to treat 200-plus patients a year but its proving difficult to get the funds.
It’s just astonishing that this Government can find €1.7million to build six detached houses for people who don’t want to live in them while one of the largest hospitals in the country cannot get €1.5million for life-saving equipment which can save hundreds of lives.
It really is a Government with no direction or priorities. DENIS DENNEHY,
Dublin.
Power before principle
I ACCEPT that the majority of those who voted in the abortion referendum voted Yes even though they only represented 42% of the total electorate.
However, to say that every Yes voter voted for abortion up to 12 weeks is simply wrong and wholly dishonest.
Can I remind those politicians that the people only voted to repeal the Eighth Amendment and place the issue of abortion legislation with the Oireachtas.
Those who were elected by the electorate for their pro-life views need to still respect their supporters and themselves and vote accordingly.
For them to vote in favour of something they clearly disagree with could only be perceived as putting power before principle.
JOHN BURKE, Dublin 3.