1 day Ago
Why does the Government not get behind the spirit of the efforts of the people who have worked to re-open the roads and restore power, water and communications under terrible weather conditions? The State might reward them by giving them an income tax break while they are engaged in this activity. Given the largesse we have seen in the recent post-election appointments within their own ranks, this seems only fair. The long hours in the cold and wet, not to mention swinging around on poles, deserves recompense.
I salute all involved in the efforts that will restore normality to our country. Paddy Murray, Castlepollard, Co Westmeath Éowyn showed again that in times of difficulty Irish community spirit is strong It has been a challenging week for many in Ireland with the recent Storm Éowyn and its aftermath across the country. It’s encouraging to see great examples of neighbours coming together to help each other out in times of need.
Word even filtered through to London that my neighbour Ray in Hollymount, Co Mayo, spent the last few days driving around with his generator from house to house for people to charge their phones and get some brief power for other household appliances. Local restaurants were opening for people to come in for a chat and advice on when the electricity would return. A shout out to MidWest Radio, which stayed broadcasting throughout the storm thanks to emergency generators and provided a vital link, updates and reassurance to many people cut off from the outside world.
A further positive spin-off was the fact that families could once again communicate with each other, as without tech distractions, board games were located and dusted off for a few days. Who knows, in years to come the storm name Éowyn may feature in quizzes; or in nine months’ time, be a popular children’s name. Seamus Joyce, Richmond, London Homes were left freezing as green agenda stripped away old-school chimneys Sitting beside my log-burning stove these last couple of days, I pondered on the fate of some of the 100,000 homes without electricity.
How many of them were victims of the green agenda new-build policy of no chimney and had no back-up supply to support heating pumps? One wonders how many of the Green Party hierarchy actually have a chimney in their homes. G Kell, Tullow, Co Carlow Things are now looking up as Trump’s revolution of common sense kicks in I couldn’t help but contrast the wise and well-chosen words of Cardinal Timothy Dolan at Donald Trump’s inauguration. with the inappropriate intervention of Episcopal bishop Mariann Edgar Budde the following day.
The latter’s words were commended by many “liberal” commentators in Ireland. Yet if a Catholic priest dared to give an orthodox homily on a hot-button social issue, we all know the outcome. Liveline would be hopping with indignation, for starters.
It seems the president’s “revolution of common sense” has set the cat among the liberal pigeons, particularly relating to gender ideology and freedom of speech and expression. Social media has long been a minefield for those daring to espouse any opinion not in tune with the liberal zeitgeist. Early days, but things are looking promising.
Hopefully, peace will hold in Gaza, and we await developments in Ukraine. As for Ireland, given the intemperate remarks of many politicians and commentators, one hopes Trump is not a vengeful man, or that we are too insignificant to bother about. The lethargic Joe Biden regime has been replaced with a more energetic model.
Eric Conway, Navan, Co Meath EU knows when it has enough on its plate – but US politics overindulge In light of all the comparisons between US and European politics since Donald Trump’s inauguration, I’ve come to a conclusion that might just sum it all up: ketchup. Whenever I find myself in a US diner, I watch in awe as my fellow customers slather their plates with ketchup as though it’s the main course. In Europe, we’re more restrained – just a few careful dots, used sparingly.
It’s as though we understand the condiment is a garnish, not the meal. Perhaps this is a metaphor for our political systems. Americans seem to want everything in bulk, while Europeans – though no less passionate – know that a little goes a long way.
Perhaps this is why, when it comes to politics, moderation might just be the secret ingredient. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran, Armagh ‘Transgenderism’ is given proper debate, so why is abortion issue silenced? On reading Elena Brooks’ letter (‘Don’t ignore women who are concerned about trans people being in their space’, January 27) in reply to Louise McSharry’s recent article, I couldn’t help contrasting the effort to support a balanced and factual take on the issue with that applied to the issue of abortion, where, it seems, no effort is made to ensure there is such an outcome. In the case of the latter, only positive articles are permitted and, to date, there has never been an actual debate, especially with regard to the massive increase in abortions since its legislation – over 40,000 to date.
Any hope of such a debate? After all, we like to claim we are now a liberal society, so why fear robust and factual debates? Unless those anxious to prevent debate actually do fear their position would be undermined. Mary Stewart, Ardeskin, Donegal Sad to say goodbye to the famous 46A, despite less than reliable timetable Now that the 46A has been declared officially extinct, I have to express my lack of surprise, as in my school days commuting from Leopardstown to Leeson Street it was a rare beast indeed, usually to be seen traversing the opposite route. But despite my contentious issues with its then seemingly random timetable, it will be missed.
I don’t understand why its number cannot be retained for historical purposes on the new 24-hour route. A shame. Shane Simpson, Saphan Sung, Bangkok.
