Perhaps de Valera was ahead of his time after all
MANY of those calling for us to change the Constitution, claim the existing wording is sexist and out of date. It’s their trump argument and a conversation stopper!
Article 41.2 requires the State to ‘endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home’.
For anyone who finds the inclusion of the word ‘duties’ objectionable, it is also found in the section of the Constitution dealing with children, where Article 42a.2 tells us that parents have ‘duties’ to their children. In the first instance these are met in the home.
Éamon de Valera – the main architect of our Constitution – had personal reasons for putting this provision into the Constitution. Born in New York and without financial help from his father, his mother found that she was unable to simultaneously go to work and care for him. So, in spite of his pleading, he was sent to be reared by relatives in Ireland.
Across the world, societies which have become so focused on economics that they have neglected home and family life, are slowly waking up to the consequences. Recently the South Korean president said that their plummeting birth rate was their top priority as current figures suggest that the Korean people are on a trajectory to extinction.
Perhaps those who drafted our Constitution all those years ago, had the enlightened foresight to realise that if we do not take care of the human ecological basics, so essential for the next generation to flourish, then we will no longer exist as a people. GEARÓID DUFFY,
Lee Road, Cork.
Brave Navalny
THE whole free world must now be aware that Alexei Navalny lost his life fighting to end Putin’s evil regime.
No matter how he died, Putin is personally responsible for his death. I believe Navalny’s brave sacrifice should never be forgotten. It exposes Putin’s fear of justice and truth, and may help to reignite support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom.
DAVE HODDELL, via email.
Life can be ruff
THE dog pound was noisy, lots of yapping barking and whining. Paws clawing at the bars of the cages. It was like a miniature prison for dogs. Dogs for one reason or another nobody wanted. Some were gifts at Christmas but then the novelty wore off.
Lucy was on a mission. She needed something new in her life – a fella hadn’t worked out too well.
She spotted Tricky cowering in a corner. He was taken on a trial basis so was carried shivering to the car.
Over time it became obvious that Tricky had emotional problems. He would walk in circles get dizzy then bumped into things. He had huge sad eyes just like his owner. His tail always between his legs.
Lucy sought the help of a dog psychologist. Mrs Woodhouse arrived and she quickly discovered both dog and owner had been through a terrible trauma. There are some very cruel dog owners and fellas in the world.
Mrs Woodhouse gave clear and precise instructions to both her clients. Over time (and money), steady progress was made with both victims. Graduation Day was celebrated. Tricky’s head held high, his tail wagged excitedly. His lead held by Lucy, a big smile on her happy face. Who rescued who? They rescued each other. JACQUIE CONNOLLY,
Foxrock, Co. Dublin.
Scoffing scenes
PERHAPS we should have trigger warnings for older TV viewers before youngsters are depicted devouring fast food like cavemen. Very few adverts show the use of cutlery. SHEILA FILLERY, via email.