Letters to the Editor: Don’t risk losing our neutrality
One readers says that 'it seems the Defence Forces are used to satisfy political objectives — however, when it comes to matters of salaries, allowances, and general working conditions, we see little interest or concern from politicians and civil servants'.
I remember like yesterday government promises that our neutrality would not be compromised and the triple lock would remain sacrosanct if we just voted for the Lisbon Treaty again, having rejected it the first time over such concerns. The treaty was passed and already our triple lock is being dismantled by the very same political parties.
I’m sorry but if they lied in 2009, what makes anyone think their assurances that dismantling the triple lock now will not mean Ireland getting dragged into questionable wars of aggression in future are worth anything? Some people seem to think it’s a choice between neutrality and being able to defend ourselves.
We do not need UN permission to defend ourselves if directly attacked — the triple lock does not interfere with that. There is nothing in the triple lock stopping us radically improving our armed forces, especially investment in modern technology — such as early warning radars, ships to patrol the coast, drones, aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, increasing our standing army, and introducing compulsory military service between the ages of 18 and 25.
None of this means we have to drop our traditional stance of neutrality. One of our greatest assets has been this very public tradition of neutrality and being an ex-colony, that has given us credibility and allowed us punch well above our weight on the international diplomatic stage.
It has ensured that our troops remain highly respected and tolerated honest-brokers on UN missions, often able to handle situations where the armed forces of other countries would simply not be welcome.
This is a legacy we run the risk of losing if we start to align ourselves with belligerent states and, once lost, we will not regain it.
In an increasingly hostile and dangerous world, this is the one asset we need to be safeguarding as the supply of it dwindles globally. The last thing we need is jingoism and amping up the aggression — there’s more than enough of that commodity already.
Nick Folley, Carrigaline, Co Cork
Treat troops better
Once again, we hear Irish politicians indicate their willingness to send members of the Irish Defence Forces overseas as peacekeepers.
I spent more than 30 years with the United Nations peacekeeping office, so I have some experience in peacekeeping operations.
Over the years, I have seen many politicians and civil servants visiting peacekeeping operations — always when missions were calm. No visits during time of conflict when shells and bullets were flying.
I have seen Irish politicians and civil servants strutting around UN headquarters taking (well-deserved) credit for the “outstanding” performance of members of the Defence Forces serving with UN missions.
Some 88 members of the Defence Forces have died in overseas deployments.
Politicians and civil servants will express “concern” and sympathy at the loss of life.
It seems the Defence Forces are used to satisfy political objectives — however, when it comes to matters of salaries, allowances, and general working conditions, we see little interest or concern from politicians and civil servants.
I suggest members of the Defence Forces deserve better treatment from the Government.
I call on Micheál Martin and Simon Harris to face their responsibilities to the brave men and women of the Irish Defence Forces who have served, and continue to serve, this country at home and abroad in an exemplary manner.
They deserve better.
Michael Moriarty, Rochestown, Cork
We must support special education
In response to minister Michael Moynihan’s ‘bewilderment’ over the perceived hesitation of some school principals to establish special classes, it is important to clarify that this issue is not rooted in reluctance.
As someone deeply familiar with the challenges faced by schools, I can assure the minister that the primary issue is not reluctance — it is in the need for adequate infrastructure, sufficient resources, and comprehensive training.
The planning and building unit, the special inclusion unit, and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) continue to take a reactive, rather than proactive, approach. In recent years, the education department and NCSE have resorted to last-minute reallocation of vacant classrooms, and schools are pressurised to repurpose libraries, computer rooms, nurture spaces, and learning support rooms to accommodate special classes.
This approach undermines the importance of these spaces and demonstrates a profound lack of empathy for the broader school community who rely on these rooms for their development and well-being.
Principals who resist the loss of these valuable resources are summoned to meetings to “discuss” their objections, but this is not strategic planning; it is brinkmanship designed to pressure schools into compliance.
The so-called consultation process is tokenistic at best — a letter is sent, school accedes, the rooms are lost. If not, officials using legislative powers push ahead regardless, ignoring the concerns of those on the frontlines.
This coercive tactic shifts all responsibility on to schools, while the Department of Education and NCSE evade accountability for their failure to plan and budget effectively, opting instead for short-term, cost-saving measures that leave schools scrambling each year and the most vulnerable students left to pay the price for this systemic failure.
Another glaring issue is the lack of meaningful training for teachers assigned to special classes. The NCSE offers a four-day introductory autism course for the opening of the first class and the training is reduced to just two days for subsequent classes.
Postgraduate courses that allow teachers to specialise in special education are essential. Whole-school training in essential programmes as well as proper support and access to therapies is required. In the absence of this investment, the Government’s rhetoric about inclusion rings hollow.
If the Government is serious about inclusion, it must invest in proper infrastructure, comprehensive teacher training, and long-term strategies to meet the growing demand for special education. Until then, schools will continue to struggle, and the minister will remain “fiercely puzzled”.
Ruth Dillon, Clonsilla, Dublin 15
Time to learn Irish
I wish every child would get the chance to spend time in the Gaeltacht but it’s not just for the páistí, you know. I spend a week every year in Cholàiste na Rinne, on the Waterford/Cork border, attending the Daonscoil na Mumhnan seachtain na Gaeilge. I couldn’t recommend it more for adults of all ages who want to learn or improve their Irish.
I never got to go to the Gaeltacht as a child, but I am making up for it now as a pensioner.
However, the numbers of attendees are dropping so it is vital that people of all ages make a decision to attend a Gaeltacht course — you will not regret it.
Máire Blundell, An Chúlóg, BAC
US threat to Gaza
The people of Gaza have every reason to fear an out-of-control Trump supporting Israel and bent on their eradication.
The Gaza ceasefire had three phases. Phase one was completed successfully. Hostages and prisoners were freed. But Israel has refused to engage with phase two, which spelt out the removal of its troops and an end to the war.
In this phase, Hamas promised to release all remaining hostages at once. They’ve also made clear they will not be part of the government of Gaza on the “day after”.
The Arab peace proposal is a detailed plan for the $53bn reconstruction of Gaza, while its traumatised people remain in place. It would give Palestinians less than 22% of their historic homeland. In return, Israel would gain normalisation with all of its Arab and Muslim neighbours — including Iran.
It also spells out a road map for Palestinian and international governance of the strip during the rebuilding of the rubble-strewn enclave.
Yet, the ink was barely dry before Israel and the US rejected the plan and Trump issued his demand for the release of all the hostages, with no reciprocal action or release of Palestinians. This is a breach of the carefully crafted ceasefire deal. It is clear that Trump supports the restart of Israel’s attacks on the people of Gaza. The beginning is starving them of all aid. And still the Irish Government stalls on sanctions.
Betty Purcell, Mount Argus Rd, Dublin 6W
Coalition is failing
It’s fair to say that those who don’t support the current Government will disagree with those who do on the policies needed to address the many challenges the country faces. That being said, I would hope that we can all agree that the Government should at least be expected to enact its own policies and to be held accountable for how well it delivers on those promises.
To name but a few very recent failures, this new Government approved increased childcare fees for 1,100 childcare providers despite promising to reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per child; the housing minister has rowed back on the Government’s commitment to end homelessness by 2030; and last week the Taoiseach tried to downplay the costs associated with the Government missing its own climate targets.
It is to be expected that the opposition will demand more of the Government, regardless of how well they perform. However, this Government is consistently resisting the suggestion that they reach targets that they set themselves.
My question to those who support this Government is simple — by what metric are they to be held accountable if not their own election promises? When you voted for Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, did you do so with the expectation that they would honour their commitments?
Rob O’Sullivan, Kilrush, Co Clare
