Letters: Colum McCann hit nail on the head in saying United States is concussed

I hope that all those who pledge their support for Trump and Vance study seriously the article (‘US is a nation concussed, and it feels like I’ve had a punch to the back of the brain as well’, Irish Independent , April 2). Colum McCann states the facts of the Trump presidency. No decent human being can deny them.

To do so would be dishonest. Declan Foley, Melbourne, Australia Ireland must embrace a much more self-sufficient economic model to thrive Fionnán Sheahan’s observations on the Celtic Tiger crash as a slow- motion disaster built on a foundation of reckless credit and speculative bubbles are apposite (‘Trump slump an entirely different beast to the hopeless days of Celtic Tiger crash’, Irish Independent , April 2). The looming Trump slump, by contrast, represents an external shock – swift, geopolitical and targeted.



While Ireland’s economy is stronger now, its dependence on US multi­nationals makes it uniquely vulner­able to trade wars and protectionism. In a globalised world, economic resilience lies in adaptability, not nostalgia. If US tariffs bite, Ireland must pivot – diversifying trade, courting new investment and strengthening its indigenous industries.

I suspect – and hope I’m wrong – that the EU’s retaliation will be fierce yet ultimately ineffective. In the long run, Ireland will be forced to embrace a more self-sufficient economic model, one where the next boom isn’t just built in Ireland, but owned by it. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh It’s Liberation Day for the US, but Enslavement Day for the democratic world And so Liberation Day has arrived, according to US president Donald Trump.

The reality, however, is that today is Enslavement Day for the entire democratic world, including the US itself. Tariffs, trade wars, cordial overtures to autocracy and confusion underpinned by lies, deception and oscillating postures have now become the instruments of servitude and chauvinism. In the Oval Office over the coming months, we are likely to witness Mr Trump’s narcissistic ego fatten on a procession of knee-bending, cap-doffing nations, especially of the loathed European variety, dressed, albeit scantily, as deal-cutting.

My fear and anxiety for the world my grandchildren will inherit is increasing. Michael Gannon, St Thomas Square, Kilkenny Let’s call time on farcical squabbling in the Dáil and focus on what’s important As expected, Verona Murphy won the first ever Dáil vote of confidence in a Ceann Comhairle. I would urge our politicians to desist from wasting any more Dáil time on issues that feature way down the totem pole of significance.

This country faces enormous challenges on many fronts, in areas such as US tariffs, housing, healthcare, disability services, childcare and climate change. This is why it is more important than ever for the opposition to be able to hold the Government to account. As the pressure of US tariffs begins to gather momentum, the last thing the electorate wants to see is this ludicrous spectacle of Irish politicians quarrelling over speaking time.

John O’Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Backbenchers should be heard, but not at expense of the opposition’s time I must compliment and wholeheartedly agree with Joseph Kiely on his well-presented agreement in opposition to the Ceann Comhairle deal and further express my utter disgust at the manner in which Michael Lowry and Co were allowed to usurp the opposition’s opportunity to call the Government to account . What a farce – the state car section of the Regional Technical Group sitting on the government benches, with the disappointed wing sitting on the opposition benches to engage in filibustering. And all of this without a whimper from any TD on either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael sides.

We now have a nonsensical situation in Dáil Éireann where one man with a dominant personality orchestrates how the game of politics is played. An Tánaiste Simon Harris is concerned that government backbenchers should have the opportunity to put questions to ministers. What for – to tell them how brilliant they are, perhaps.

Time could be made available for backbenchers to speak. I would have no problem with that, but not at the expense of the opposition’s time. Liam MacCionnaith, Caherconlish, Co Luimnigh Mothers’ genocide protest not a criminal act, so why did gardaí arrest them? I was horrified to read that 14 people were arrested at the Mothers Against Genocide peaceful protest at Leinster House on Mother’s Day after they refused to end a sit-down protest at the gates of the building.

These brave women were taking time out of their lives to stand against the slaughter of innocents in Palestine and were arrested for protesting against genocide. What has happ­ened to us as a nation? We have lost our moral compass. We stood by and applauded the Dunnes Stores workers back in 1984 when they stood up against apartheid in South Africa.

Their actions were lauded by Nelson Mandela, who said the strikers demonstrated to South Africa that “ordinary people far away from the crucible of apartheid cared for our freedom”. He said they helped keep him going when he was in prison. And here we are, 40 years on, with women protesting against another apartheid regime and continuing carnage, this time perpetrated by the Israelis, and instead of applause they get arrested.

Shame on the Government and the gardaí. Where did the call come from to have these women arrested? Ordinary people all over the world and here in Ireland are appalled and horrified by the horror in the Middle East, yet our governments, for fear of US power and money, stay silent. We can do better.

The Irish Government and those in Europe follow the US and Israeli line, and not only turn a blind eye to what is happening to the Palestinians, but are now arresting people for standing up against this massacre. We are truly in a dark place in this country when protesting for basic human rights and dignity gets you arrested. Nuala Martyn, Ballinderreen, Co Galway.