Why I’m not going with the crowd on Higgins
I’D like to make a few points as regards the Presidential election.
Firstly, the refusal by Michael D Higgins to go on the Presidential debates with Áine Lawlor and with Claire Byrne is a complete disgrace.
This leads me to a great suspicion that he is going on the other three debates because he feels he has some kind of an advantage in those situations, having clearly gained an extraordinary advantage when he went on Prime Time during the last Presidential election.
This follows from his keeping back his announcement that he was running to more or less last possible moment, again to try and disadvantage any ordinary citizen who might have the temerity to run.
Then throwing in that he would like if there were more Irish language debates, knowing full well that most of the other candidates could not take part, to me shows deep cynicism, along with his assuming that the Irish electorate would actually believe such waffle.
Secondly, his announcement that he would like his €317,000 expenses allowance, which is unvouched, to be made transparent – but that this will clearly not happen before the election – again suggests cynicism, and a knowledge that the media, the majority of whom are firmly on his side, will not take him up on it.
On top of that, this guy, who gets €250k a year in salary, €317k in unvouched expenses and keeps his pension from NUIG, and is thus extraordinarily wealthy, has started a crowdfunding campaign to accept citizens’ money to support his campaign.
I think it’s time someone called a halt to this nonsense.
He plays up what I consider ‘pseudo-Republicanism’ to try and ingratiate himself with a section of our population, but in my vieew this person is very far from Republican ideals.
I know she’s considered a nohoper but look at the contrast to someone such as Joan Freeman, who took out a loan of €130k to set up Pieta House, which has given such a wonderful public service, helping so many people.
I don’t think you could have a stronger contrast. SEÁN Ó DOMHNAILL,
Spiddal, Co. Galway.
Protect our mink
IT was heartening to see Ruth Coppinger introduce the Solidarity Bill to prohibit fur farming in the Dáil this week.
Mink are semi-aquatic animals and in their natural habitat spend most of their short lives in the proximity of waterways.
When farmed, the mink are deprived of this freedom of movement in the wild open countryside that is their birthright. Instead they find themselves confined in small wire cages piled side by side and on top of each other.
After six months of this hell on earth, the mink are gassed to death with carbon monoxide and stripped of their fur. More than 200,000 of them face this horrific ordeal every year.
A ban on fur farming was part of a Programme for Government between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party in 2009, but that government fell before the legislation could be enacted, and the incoming Fine Gael-Labour coalition allowed fur farming to continue.
Several EU nations have already outlawed the practice. In considering its response to the Solidarity Bill, the government will hopefully bear these precedents in mind and also note that EU law is no longer on the side of fur farming. An EU Directive on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes (98/58/EC) states that ‘no animal shall be kept for farming purposes unless it can reasonably be expected, on the basis of its genotype or phenotype; that it can be kept without detrimental effect on its health or welfare.’
The passing of the Solidarity Bill, or an equivalent initiative from the Government would bring long overdue relief to Ireland’s captive mink population.
JOHN FITZGERALD, Campaign for the Abolition
Of Cruel Sports, Callan, Co. Kilkenny.
Soldiers deserve better
SOLDIERS have been let down again. This time through incompetence at a high level – it’s time for resignations, starting with Secretary, Department of Defence. The Minister for Defence should also consider his position. Neither of the aforementioned could begin to imagine how it feels to be told you are not returning home after a difficult seven month mission away from home.
HARRY MULHEARN, by email.
Democrats hypocrisy
HOPEFULLY the truth will emerge in the current investigation into US Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh. It does seem strange though that the Democrats have history in this regard. They previously prevented the nomination of Robert Bork, and almost scuppered the nomination of Clarence Thomas.
It may or may not be coincidental that all three nominees were pro-life Catholics. In the Democrats world view, the lowest form of humanity. It is correct though that serious accusations are examined. However, almost simultaneously with this case, a Democrat politician, Keith Ellison, has been accused of abuse by an ex girlfriend. The reaction of his fellow Democrat colleagues? Attack the accuser. Talk about double standards and hypocrisy.
ERIC CONWAY, by email.