We need to fill gap left by destroyed census records

THE information gathered from our census forms last weekend will reveal important societal realities, show a variety of economic and social trends and, critically, give plenty to contemplate in terms of planning for the future needs of our citizens.

It is also essential for historical, ancestral and other research purposes. Unfortunately we are very poorly served in this regard.

Virtually all of Ireland’s 19thCentury census records, through various unfortunate circumstances, were destroyed.

Furthermore, an Irish census wasn’t taken in 1921 due to the Civil War, thus leaving the censuses of 1901 and 1911 as the only complete sets available to us.

The census of 1926 was the first taken by the Irish State, the early release of which was approved by the government, according to then-heritage minister Jimmy Deenihan on March 9, 2012 when he indicated that legislation [to digitise the census] had been approved by the Cabinet.

But other than the introduction of a private members’ Bill ‘Statistics (1916 Rising

Centenary) Bill 2016’ in May 2016 there has been no movement.

The 1901 and 1911 censuses were released to public inspection in 1961 and online since August 2009.

It is now time to earnestly pursue the bridging of the 15year gap from 1911, in order to give us a much anticipated window on a period that covered some of the most significant events in our history, the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence, partition and the creation of the State and the Civil War.

Michael Gannon, Kilkenny city.

Holohan debacle

IT’S truly unfortunate that Dr Tony Holohan has been caught up in the ‘seconded’ debacle.

Dr Holohan along with Dr Ronan Glynn, NPHET, and the Government did an excellent job over the past two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On merit, Dr Holohan is very deserving of the new role and Trinity College is very fortunate to get someone of his calibre and must realise this. It must surely be willing to pay his salary.

While the creation of his new role there and the process of his transfer should have been done in an open, transparent way, his appointment in no way compares to the situation where Katherine Zappone was being slotted in the back door to the UN position.

Tony Holohan’s work in his new position will benefit Ireland and the world. I wish him success, happiness and contentment in all the years ahead. And I believe everyone in Ireland and beyond wish him likewise.

Margaret Walshe, Clonsilla, Dublin 15.

Desperate measures

NOW that the winter fuel allowance has stopped, and it’s still freezing cold, I am looking for unwanted perishable products around the house. The kitchen table has already been sacrificed. But the hardest thing to accept is that I can no longer afford to get things in the charity shops.

Name and address with editor.

Stamp out rises

THE price of the humble postage stamp has soared in recent months to a whopping €1.25 for a simple letter with almost no weight and maybe going no further than the next parish.

The high cost of sending mail in this country can really be felt when people send more than one letter and it is no wonder that the Christmas card list is fast becoming a thing of the past.

There seems to be no stopping the rise with no difference to a service that has remained the same since the 1960s, with a high number of people getting mail in the afternoon, not the morning.

Other costs in An Post have also soared, with registered and priority mail services now at between €8 and €12 for one item.

Inflation and price stability is something we need to govern in this country across the board, and demand better services for any increase in cost.

Otherwise, we face stagflation, unmanageable debt, inertia, and job losses when customers say ‘no more’.

Maurice Fitzgerald, Shanbally, Co. Cork.

Patronising elites

THE increased cost of living due to the war in Ukraine has been receiving a lot of media coverage over the last few weeks. The less well-off people are concerned how they will make ends meet.

However, listening to RTÉ presenters and politicians – both receiving over-the-top salaries – discussing the predicament of their ‘lessers’ can be irritating. Perhaps they could join forces to set up support groups for the less fortunate members of society.

Waterford city.