Finally the North gets some very good news
AT long last, the people of Northern Ireland again have their own government.
I can now look forward to watching the evening news on television with a degree of expectation of witnessing something politically positive on the screen.
I now beg, and trust, that our new government will rise to the challenge, and let the world see they are able to govern the people in a manner that compensates for, or at least helps alleviate the pain of, our horrible past.
I feel it behoves both Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and British prime minister Boris Johnson to offer every financial support possible, to not only help make up for our people’s 30-plus years of conflict and suffering, but to finally permit the speedy return to a form of normality. I wish First Minister Arlene Foster, and our Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill, my sincere best wishes. HARRY STEPHENSON,
Kircubbin, Co. Down.
Tired of waiting...
LISTENING to Ray Davies of The Kinks singing Tired Of Waiting For You reminds me of the upcoming election.
I’m tired of waiting on a trolley. I’m tired of waiting for broadband. I’m tired of waiting for the children’s hospital. I’m tired of waiting for proper affordable housing. I’m tired of do-nothing politicians who promise and don’t deliver.
I’m tired of waiting for the soft opt-out option for organ transplants becoming law. And I’m so tired, tired of waiting for life to get better for the homeless and less fortunate members of society. And so it goes. KEVIN DEVITTE, Westport, Co. Mayo.
Cautionary tale
IF ANY Irish government ministers are expecting a bonanza of votes for their contributions towards the Brexit Deal and/or the reinstatement of the Assembly in Northern Ireland, they might reflect on the outcome of the 1977 general election.
The since-deceased Labour politician Justin Keating’s dedication as government minister – acting for the good of Ireland, efforts that were recognised by many people, including Keating’s political friends and foes alike – was to lead to his demise as a TD in that ominous general election (which some believe was to blame for subsequent long-term negative political situations).
I watched one of Keating’s constituency voters being interviewed in a vox pop by an RTÉ TV reporter in 1977, when it was confirmed Keating had been rejected by his constituency voters and had lost his Dáil seat.
The interviewee – who ‘always voted Labour’ – was asked why he had not given Keating his vote ‘after all the Minister for Industry and Commerce has done for the country’. The man replied: ‘Minister Keating might have done a lot for the country, but what did he do for me?’
TOM BALDWIN, Midleton, Co. Cork.
Clowning around?
SO we are going to the polls on February 8. I am looking forward to the downright lies, and the false and exaggerated promises of, ‘If you elect me, I will...’
Then there are the claims of what they have achieved in office and the all-out back-stabbing. Should be fun.
Elections always remind me of the lyrics from songs by Stephen Sondheim, notably that lovely line: ‘Send in the clowns. Don’t bother, they’re here.’
MARTIN STRINGER, Barnacogue, Co. Mayo.
Good luck to royal pair
I HOPE Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gain the peace and global recognition they crave and that their gains far outweigh what they will inevitably lose.
Their status has given them opportunities most people value and respect, but these will diminish as time goes by. NICOLA SHAW,
by email.
Climate concerns
THE city of Melbourne, Australia, has just recorded the worst air quality in the world.
Melbourne has previously been listed as the ‘most liveable city in the world’ on several occasions. This air quality decline is a consequence of the fires in Eastern Victoria and is obviously a minor nuisance compared to the disasters of the fires themselves.
There is a reduced level of visibility and the smell of smoke is always concerning, and for some it is a health issue. Most people find breathing harder but for a few people, including asthmatics, it can be dangerous.
This smoke will, hopefully, blow away in the next few days, but the question will remain: what can we do to prevent this from happening again.
This issue is not just limited to Melbourne, as there are a number of cities around the world where just breathing is a health risk. There are government spokespeople who are saying that this is not the time to discuss this – but when will it be time?
We need to, while we still can, look at the impact we are having on the planet and find a way to stop and hopefully repair the damage we have caused. This should start with looking at climate change and pollution in general. There is no Planet B. DENNIS FITZGERALD,
Melbourne, Australia.