After a challenging year, it’s time to tackle our problems head-on

SOMEHOW, 2023 is almost over and, as happens every year, we’re left to wonder where it all went. In a modern society, buttressed by the 24-hour news cycle and ever-present scrolling on social media feeds, events can often appear to be happening at a breakneck pace.

This year, we have had many challenges, both internationally and here at home. They have included the usual pressure on the health service, spiralling rents, inadequate supply of housing for purchase, a tragic rise in the numbers killed on our roads, political stagnation in Stormont, food and energy inflation, and the overall rise in the cost of living.

Israel’s war on Hamas, started by the grotesque terrorist incursion that murdered hundreds on October 7, has proven to be an intractable problem, with many thousands killed in Gaza, including the most defenceless of all, children.

Meanwhile, Russia’s almost two-year war in Ukraine has become one of attrition, as thousands die either advancing on or attempting to recapture mere kilometres of territory. Both conflicts will continue to test international solidarity.

Another issue that has come to the fore in recent weeks – and one this newspaper warned of this time last year – is the apparent rise of the far right.

Our country has a proud, now century-long tradition of unbroken statehood, during which we have managed to resist the forces of extremism.

While there have been many problems over the years, we have maintained a level of social solidarity which was best demonstrated during the pandemic, and which is present in every village, town and suburb throughout the country.

The riot scenes we saw last month on the streets of Dublin do not represent the Ireland that we all know and love. That said, it is too easy to dismiss the genuine concerns of communities that are not being effectively communicated with, especially regarding the influx of international protection applicants and the feeling that large numbers of people are being placed in rural and less socially advantaged areas because of their relative lack of political heft. This is a continuing cause of concern.

The Government needs to wake up to what is a very real problem, particularly with three elections – local, European and general – due in the next 12 months, and for the presidency in 2025.

The Irish people, we believe, will continue to resist forces that play to the basest human instincts, and instead want to help all those in need – our own homeless, and people who are fleeing war in their native countries.

It requires a robust policy response from Government to ensure that the tensions that arise whenever and wherever there is large-scale inward migration are addressed, and not simplistically dismissed as exclusively far-right concerns. These tensions have to be engaged with and tackled, so that our far-right fringe does not gain the ability to leverage such fears into a political power base that would threaten the foundations of the Ireland to which we aspire. This is a challenge that we and our political leaders must rise up to meet, now more than ever.

On this Christmas Eve, it remains only for us to wish all our readers a happy, healthy and safe Christmas, and a holy one too for those who observe the true meaning of the season. Wherever you spend it, we hope it is in the presence of family and friends, and enjoyed in the spirit of love and joy.