Elect me President and I’ll save you a fortune
I WAS wondering if the Department of Social Security would like to sponsor me under the Community Employment Scheme to run for President in the upcoming Presidential election. This would be a massive saving of €300,000plus a year to the Irish taxpayer which could be put to better use.
I won’t need the Áras, so that can be sold. I will be looking at Irish embassies on state visits where possible and also using cheap budget carriers.
I will be transparent and costeffective, meaning more savings to the taxpayer. For an average 19.5 hours a week I’m willing to learn from my advisers, who will prepare my speeches and give me a bit of etiquette!
I wouldn’t be looking for a massive pension at the end. The only thing I would ask for is that the CE scheme should run for the full Presidential term.
Philip Mann, Athlone Co. Westmeath.
Gallagher’s return
I AM delighted Seán Gallagher is seeking nominations from councils to run for President.
He would have won in the last election only for Sinn Féin/IRA dirty tricks and RTÉ. He would be a great representative on the world stage. He looks and speaks very well and has great presence.
President Higgins should have honoured his pledge to serve only one term: even seven years is too long. He really should stand aside and give someone else a chance. Do these politicians ever have enough? Noel Peers, Kilkenny. DURING the Papal visit, our Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, sternly informed Pope Francis that the there must be zero tolerance for child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church – sentiments with which I totally agree.
Our Minister for Children, Katherine Zappone, also instructed Pope Francis that the Catholic Church must pay towards the restoration and reinterment of victims at the Tuam mother and baby home site.
Again, I agree that the Church should make a contribution although I think this issue has been sensationalised.
I (and I’m sure many other Irish people, at least 723,000 of us) remark on the hypocrisy of Varadkar and Zappone, who have spearheaded the introduction of abortion – the worst possible form of child abuse. I have two questions for Leo and Katherine:
Leo: do you have zero tolerance for the destruction of innocent human beings who just happen to be pre-born?
Katherine: who will dispose of the remains of the thousands of unborn children that you are condemning to death?
Pat O’Neill, Crosshaven, Co. Cork. A FEW days ago while enjoying a cup of coffee and browsing through the pages of my newspaper in a small café in my home town, I felt like the odd man out.
At two tables close to mine were three mature adults playing with mobile phones. The days when people amused themselves with a crossword over a cuppa appears to be a thing of the past.
While some positive points can be made about mobiles, there are many who seem to be totally addicted to the gadgets. So much so that some users (or abusers) may be in danger of being referred for remedial treatment for their obsessions.
One cannot but wonder how the older folk coped back in the premobile days of the Sixties and Seventies when communication and information was not as accessible as it is these days.
Shay Coogan, THE closure of so many post offices in rural parts of Ireland has been a major talking point in recent weeks and many older people are saddened by the departure of such facilities and popular meeting points.
Now, I wish to raise a matter which I have been noticing in my home town in recent months.
It is the shabby appearance of many post boxes. So, perhaps the money saved with the closure of numerous post offices could be spent on improving their appearance. Sandpaper, paint and the employing of some part-time workers would hardly break the bank.
Liz Lawless, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with Alan Kelly that Brendan Howlin is not the right man to lead the Labour Party, but then neither is he.
I remember a statement he made, that power is a drug to him, it just shows how arrogant he is. If he becomes leader, I for one will never vote for the Labour Party again.
I already turned against them in the last election and by-election. He is more Fine Gael than any Fine Gael member. I will be surprised if Labour survives the next general election.
Brendan O’Brien, Tallaght, Dublin 24.