Show more humanity in debates on drink driving
I THINK the TDs against the new drink driving limits could have been more mindful, during their heated debate on the issue in the Dáil, towards the plight of those families who lost relatives to drink drivers. I felt a few were going to collapse from the heat, so vociferous were they in their opposing contention.
It’s time to let that favourite bugbear leave their system, and desist from playing devil’s advocate for the shaky and borderline drink drivers. Being a ‘spokesperson’ on this and to promote the ‘rural exception’ is to dilute driver responsibility for their own often dangerous habits.
The population at large continuing to be allowed to live in relative safety is much more vital than silly histrionic pleadings about the ‘absolute right to somewhat drink and drive’. ROBERT SULLIVAN, Bantry, Co. Cork.
Support the HSE
ON A nearly daily basis you will find complaints against the HSE. Some may be justified, to a degree, others definitely not.
I was recently diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes, and was amazed to find that within a few short weeks I was called forward to have a diabetic retinopathy, where they photograph your eyes for any irregularities.
Then I was called forward to have my feet checked by a nurse to examine for any circulatory anomalies. Then I was called to attend two briefings on dietary advice. This was done under the DESMOND Scheme, which is an acronym for Diabetes Education and Self Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed. The backup for diabetics is, in my humble opinion, world class.
On a regular basis we get the figures of people on trolleys. The way these figures are reported is dishonest, because the figure for the people who are fit to go home, but have nowhere to go, is not given. Because these people cannot go home, they take up a bed, which is why you have people on trolleys in A&Es. Families should look after their sick relatives and not leave it up to the State.
We have a wonderful group of hardworking, professional, dedicated and well-motivated doctors, nurses and support staff, who are doing a brilliant job, and deserve our support and recognition. I am very grateful for the treatment they have given me, so let’s stop knocking the HSE. JOHN FAIR, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Hypocrisy over Pope
THE Pope’s Phoenix Park gig for 500,000 people ‘sells out’, while 45,000 tickets for Knock sold out immediately (Mail, yesterday).
About 1.4million Irish people voted in favour of same-sex marriage while 1.2million voted in favour of abortion, both of which are totally against Catholic Church teachings.
It is only logical to assume that a substantial amount of people going to the Park and Knock also voted in favour of same-sex marriage or abortion. Are we turning into a nation of hypocrites?
It will be interesting to see if the ‘Catholic’ ministers, TDs and others who were in favour of samesex marriage or abortion, or both, will be able to resist being seen at one of the Papal events, or if they will they turn up at the events and prove they have no principles.
DENIS DENNEHY, Dublin.
Scrutinise politicians
URBAN voters, especially those living in the large populated cities of Ireland, should take a hard look at their Dáil representatives.
They should note the issues that those individuals pursue at Dáil level and elsewhere. There are too many people living in the cities of Ireland (especially in Dublin) who although being elected for Dublin constituencies have other agendas, reporting frequently to the rural townlands and counties of their births.
The professions in this country are filled with people from rural Ireland who enjoyed superior educational opportunities and easy access to higher education grants. The majority of taxpayers in Ireland come from urban communities who, over generations, have been paying the bulk of the revenue which supported this State since its inception, but without enjoying many of the benefits.
If those people had the representation and the political clout that the rural communities have enjoyed, our standards and life qualities would be far more advanced. On the forthcoming election, ask all potential candidates from where they hail, who they intend to report to and what urban and suburban issues they intend to pursue.
HARRY MULHERN, Dublin.
Insensitive phrase
WATCHING the replay of the Leinster hurling final between Galway and Kilkenny on RTÉ last Sunday, I was perturbed to hear commentator Marty Morrissey utter the following near the end of the game: ‘If you want drama, if you want a heart attack, this is the place to be!’
It was a very bad choice of words, and similarly the flippant use of ‘at the death’ referring to the closing stages of matches is a rather sensitive phrase which could cause hurt. I suggest Mr Morrissey get a yellow card for his thoughtless remark, while editors should move to stamp out the ‘death’ word from sports reports.
LIAM WILSON, New Ross, Co. Wexford.