It’s taxpayers who fund hospitals, not ministers
RTÉ’S flagship news and current affairs radio programme, Morning Ireland on Friday carried an interview with the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, mainly focused on the profound difficulties at University Hospital Limerick.
At least twice during the interview with Rachael English, the Minister was very strident with his use of the first person singular in crediting himself with funding new bed units at the hospital: ‘I funded...’, ‘I have also funded…’
The minister may have authorised funding for University Hospital Limerick but it’s the taxpayer who does the funding. Words matter, Minister!
Michael Gannon, Kilkenny city.
Our own superstars
LAST year saw the passing of many celebrities – very talented people who were household names, some of them famous almost worldwide.
But others, not as well known but deeply precious to us, also departed this world that saw so much strife and calamity in the past year. These were people treasured beyond words whose absence leaves an emptiness and a grief that only we can understand.
So while we mourn the deaths of the mega-achievers who gave us joy and entertainment, and enriched our lives in a multitude of ways, we have every reason to be more devoted to the memories and the now invisible presence of absent loved ones.
They mightn’t be up there with the glitzy and the glamorous, or the subjects of unending reviews and analyses in the media or online, but to us they shine as brightly as any light in the sky. Each one of them is a super star. John Fitzgerald, Callan, Co. Kilkenny.
Year of elections
AS DEMOCRATIC nations plan to hold elections in 2024 it is being called the year of massive elections.
The number of electors going to the polls could reach two billion in more than 50 countries including Ireland, the UK, the US, Mexico, Pakistan, Iran and India – the world’s largest democracy with 900 million voters.
Here, the local and European elections will take place in June and the Government will hold two referendums and a possible General Election. But why are so many sitting and talented Fine Gael TDs quitting and what does it mean for politics?
Sinn Féin, the champion of the cause of refugees, suggested it will devalue the value of the average home in the capital to €300,000. This is unlikely to ease the housing crisis.
While the electorate is hesitant about changes, immigration is a huge concern for both rural and urban voters making 2024 a tumultuous year for elections.
Gerry Coughlan, Kilnamanagh, Dublin 24.
Keeping it simple
READING a letter about Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald in last week’s Irish Mail on Sunday had me reaching for the dictionary: ‘erraticism’, ‘capriciousness’, ‘ambivalence’, ‘nimbyism’. A good letter spoiled for the ordinary Joe Bloggs who likes to keep it simple by reading Mary Carr and Ger Colleran who do just that.
Charlie McAllister, Midleton, Co. Cork.
Honour the flag
WHILE watching the event on TV at Dublin Castle to ring in the New Year, I was utterly appalled to see the treatment and disrespect shown to our national flag by a singer performing.
My father fought for Irish Independence and I am so glad that he did not see the flag he
fought so hard for being dishonoured in this way.
It echoed what the occupiers of Dublin Castle before Independence thought of Ireland and our flag. Disgusting.
Joe Kearney, Janesboro, Limerick city.
Minister must act
I WAS not surprised to learn that a sample of recent emails and messages to the Department of Justice reveals that calls have been made for the resignation of Minister Helen McEntee and the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris.
The fact that this Minister has recently been churning out mitigating soundbites vis-a-vis the recent riots that engulfed our capital city is all fine and dandy, but that old idiom of ‘actions speak louder than words’ is what Ms McEntee and her Government will now be judged on.
John O’Brien, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.