Pandering to the hunting lobby won’t win rural votes

FINE Gael, in an act of sheer political opportunism, is fluttering its political eyelashes at Ireland’s rural community.

The party has set up a National Agricultural, Food and Rural Development Forum to provide a platform for discussion and policy formation on matters pertaining to rural affairs.

The appointment of pro-hunting ex-IFA president Eddie Downey as chairman sets the tone for the establishment of yet another echo chamber for farming and bloodsports interests.

Rural Ireland is devoid of local and national politicians who can articulate the views of those of us, not in the maw of the farming industry or pro-hunting lobby groups, who live in the countryside and understand and engage with modern thinking.

The Irish countryside does not rely solely on farming and hunting interests, aided by performing-to-the-gallery politicians, to function.

These ruddy-complexioned citizens of the soil, with a low world horizon, believe they are owed a living and need outlets to huntwildlife for fun.

Any political party believing that these people are their vehicles to power are thinking delusionally.

Political subscribers to this dogma will receive an answer via the ballot box.

JOHN TIERNEY, Campaign Director Association of Hunt Saboteurs, PO Box 4734, Dublin 1.

Civil service backlog

WORKING from home used to be a privilege granted to enable team members to complete urgent or complex projects without interruption.

It developed into work/life balance policies.

So I can’t understand why there’s such a backlog with passports etc.

Inefficiency, poor management and lack of planning appears rife in the civil service. Urgent rationalisation and culture change is essential to bring it into the real world.

ANN IVE, via email …I PREFER to work from home. I don’t have the hassle of commuting, am more productive and rarely take a sick day. It’s a winwin for my employer.

Office working should be a choice for all.

T. Sayer, Co. Kildare.

Geography lesson

COULD someone please tell Pádraig Ó Donncha (Letters, May

17) that the UK is indeed a European country.

JOHN HUGHES, via email.

Put on the green jersey

THE obsession by many Irish people about English football teams goes on and on and becomes more irritating to some sports supporters who much prefer to follow the fortunes of sides based this side of the Irish Sea.

A few days ago, on a visit to my local betting shop, I had a headwrecking experience of listening to a punter raving about the prospects of Leeds United staying in the English Premier League. I quickly wrote down my bet and went out in the fresh air where the birds made a sweeter sound.

I wish that some of the fanatics who fervently follow the fortunes of foreign teams would wake up some morning and realise which country they actually live in!

WINNIE CAHILl, Navan, Co. Meath.