Person: Myles Duffy

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

opinion

Readers Blog: Presidential election must take place in 2018

President Higgins declared in Australia this week that he believes himself “fit enough” to undertake a second presidential term but that he will publicly disclose next May, after his 77th birthday, if he intends to exercise his prerogative under Article 12.4 of the Constitution to become a candidate for a second term on his own nomination. 

Dear Sir... Readers' Views (19/10/16)

Dear Sir... Readers' Views (03/10/16)

Dear Sir... Readers' Views (22/08/16)

Dear Sir... Readers' Views (20/06/16)

Wife circumventing curbs on President’s utterances

Murphy’s legal aid

Mike Mahon (Letters Irish Examiner, May 4) argues the granting of free legal aid to Deputy Paul Murphy is legitimate and justifiable on the grounds that Deputy Murphy, is “a champion of civil rights” and one among a group of like-minded politicians who “expose numerous scams” in society.

Fri, 06 May, 2016

Labour have not specified what will replace the Eighth Amendment

The Labour Party are apparently to insist on a referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution as a basic condition of their participation in another coalition government.

Thu, 18 Feb, 2016

Is the Government wary of provoking ISIS?

When President Higgins addressed foreign diplomats this week he remarked, with respect to the slaughter of people by terrorists that “these new forms of violence are extremely difficult to tackle, arising as they do at the obscure intersection of geopolitical tensions, individual trajectories and beliefs, complex structures of social inequalities and globalized passions that prosper on feelings of hopelessness, resentment, humiliation or the search for glory”.

Mon, 01 Feb, 2016

Politics needs to endorse and live the ideals of the Nolan principles

It was in November 1997 that the Oireachtas appointed the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments but it is abundantly clear, following the RTÉ exposé, that the legacy of this painstaking and costly 15-year inquiry has neither eliminated corruption from the planning process; given clarity to the basic ethical standards expected of public office holders or inspired confidence in the integrity of the planning system.

Tue, 15 Dec, 2015

The President doesn’t select Irish diplomats

I write to clarify a matter. In his letter of November 18 (Irish Examiner), Myles Duffy mistakenly states that Aras an Uachtaráin sanctions or accredits diplomats to Ireland below the rank of ambassador, and that the President has a role in determining the size of Ireland’s diplomatic presence in our embassies overseas. 

Tue, 24 Nov, 2015

Mary Robinson should see how events can change our attitudes

Following her reported comments in Trinity College on November 17, it would seem that Mary Robinson expects the Irish public to disregard their instincts; to suspend their critical faculties; to erect a Chinese wall segregating the mass migration of undocumented and unidentifiable random strangers into Ireland from the threat of lethal terrorism in Europe; and to regard political promises made in their name, but without any consultation with them, as binding, not to be overshadowed by unfolding circumstances of any gravity.

Fri, 20 Nov, 2015

Suicide bombers won’t listen to reason

According to the Taoiseach there is no evidence of a terrorist attack or anything “untoward” being planned in Ireland. His assessment must correspond to the analysis of the general management of Le Bataclan, had a similar question been posed to them in Paris a week ago.

Thu, 19 Nov, 2015

Minister should ask Irish people first if they agree with injection centres

Reports have emerged that Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Minister of State for Culture and Equality, is to announce to an academic conference in London he intends to introduce legislation to facilitate the establishment of taxpayer-funded, medically supervised, injection centres in Dublin and elsewhere for the convenience and comfort of drug addicts.

Thu, 05 Nov, 2015

Public sector is as unenthusiastic as Joe Public about costly postal codes

If a proxy for the public sector’s engagement, efficacy and the adaptability was to be measured by their promptness in using Eircode smart postal codes in the ‘contact us’ section of their websites, the impression conveyed would be that citizen relations and customer-focused culture are low priority.

Sat, 29 Aug, 2015

State funeral is above any political party

In regards to a letter from Myles Duffy on August 15, I beg to differ with the views expressed therein. Describing the planned State funeral as a ‘politically inspired propaganda stunt with an eye to getting out the local vote in the general election’ is way off the mark. 

Mon, 17 Aug, 2015

State funeral for Kent a politically inspired stunt

The execution of Thomas Kent on May 9, 1916, was a crude exercise in propaganda, far removed from the moral force of the scales of justice, on the part of Major General JG Maxwell, the military governor at a time when the civil governance of the country was in a state of chaotic dissolution.

Sat, 15 Aug, 2015

Actions speak louder than words on migrants

Some commentators suggest that illegal migration is “a class issue’ that doesn’t impact on any other than the poorer classes in host countries. Surely this persiflage grossly distorts reality and the consequences of what is unfolding and threatened.

Wed, 12 Aug, 2015

Drumm should not be allowed to use video link

The declaration by David Drumm, former chief executive of Anglo Irish Bank that he would deliberate to the banking inquiry by video link is an outrageous display of condescension and disrespect toward the Irish public and a mischievous instance of self-serving manipulation.

Thu, 30 Jul, 2015

Criminals will profit from the Irish response to people smuggling

Nothing is likely to have gladdened the hearts of the criminal gangs who control smuggling of displaced people in the Mediterranean region than the spectacle of three government ministers traipsing all the way to Malta for a spurious media photo opportunity aboard the LE Eithne.

Mon, 13 Jul, 2015

Cardinal’s comments will not help the Church

His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State at the Holy See declared that the outcome of the marriage referendum is ‘a defeat for humanity’ — after the votes were cast, as if he were administering a balming poultice.

Thu, 28 May, 2015

No evidence that ‘yes’ vote good for economy

According to the chief executive of IDA Ireland, a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum would be ‘good for business’. This is a curious assertion because there is no evidence in any jurisdiction, where same-sex marriage is lawful that it had any impact whatsoever on their prosperity.

Wed, 06 May, 2015

Man who sank Lusitania was invited here in 1966

On May 7, Cobh and Cork will commemorate the centenary of the sinking of RMS Lusitania, the loss of 1,200 civilians and the support provided by Cork people after the tragedy. 

Tue, 05 May, 2015

Same-sex marriage not relevant to most people

Was it not strange and neglectful that the script of Micheál Martin’s leader’s speech to the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis did not contain any references to either of the two referendum proposals that the electorate will consider on May 22?

Wed, 29 Apr, 2015

Are we to turn role of President into random social science experiment?

Fergus Finlay (Irish Examiner, April 21) opines that adoption of the referendum proposal on May 22 to lower the age limit of presidential candidates from 35 years to 21 years would be an expression of Ireland coming of age with ‘a young uncynical President’, as if the role of head of state is to become a random and unstructured social science experiment.

Thu, 23 Apr, 2015

Marriage referendum at whim of political caucus

The guide on the Marriage Equality Referendum published by Young Fine Gael advises the proposition ‘will not affect children, or their rights in any way, shape or form’; that marriage is a unique legal status; that religious marriage is ‘a ceremony in a church’ but legally binding civil marriage has nothing to do with religion.

Tue, 21 Apr, 2015

1916 leaders don’t need British declaration of innocence

Myles Duffy’s statement that (Irish Examiner, Letters, April 14) Britain should ‘exonerate’ the executed of 1916 is incorrect. 

Sat, 18 Apr, 2015

It’s a pity Mary McAleese didn’t air her views on Presidential age

Perhaps an acute apprehension prompted former President Mary McAleese to disclose her intended vote in the marriage referendum, notwithstanding the consistent backing for this proposition in opinion polls (‘We must back marriage equality poll’, Irish Examiner, April 14).

Wed, 15 Apr, 2015

‘Name and shame’ TDs who employ relatives

Taoiseach Enda Kenny opined: “I don’t think it is a wise thing for politicians to employ family members”, in response to the disclosure that Fine Gael TD, John Perry, is employing his wife as a parliamentary assistant, on an annual salary scale that can rise to €49,000, with the potential to earn further in over-time.

Sat, 21 Mar, 2015

Oireachtas TV should be broadcast on Saorview in the public interest

Following the last general election, the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission obtained independent research into public awareness and knowledge of the Oireachtas.

Tue, 10 Mar, 2015

Women’s advocacy belies President’s role

President Michael D Higgins has accepted an invitation from an under-secretary general of the United Nations to become a global champion for the rights of women and girls.

Thu, 26 Feb, 2015

An Post stamp could influence referendum

The article by Dr Seán Ó’Conaill of UCC Faculty of Law (Equality terminology maybe troublesome for government, Irish Examiner, February 13) was timely and interesting. 

Wed, 18 Feb, 2015

Coppinger should apologise for garda slur

The spectacle of members of An Garda Síochána being described by Deputy Ruth Coppinger on the floor of Dáil Éireann as ‘dogs’ was intolerable, demeaning and cowardly. 

Tue, 17 Feb, 2015

Minister White must explore new avenues for financing RTÉ

Communications Minister Alex White is to ask the Cabinet to consider a proposal to fund RTÉ by television license fee revenue, or commercial income, but not both.

Fri, 13 Feb, 2015

Extravagant salaries in the public sector unjustifiable

It has been reported that the new chief executive of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) could get a ‘bonus entitlement’ of up to €384,000, on top of a salary-and-benefits package of €445,000.

Wed, 07 Jan, 2015

RTÉ can’t afford to pay D’Arcy a €500,000 salary

RTÉ has plenty of broadcasting talent whose pay is not so exorbitant as to make headline news. But RTÉ intends to recruit broadcaster Ray D’Arcy for €500,000 a year.

Mon, 15 Dec, 2014

Politicians must lead by example in the Dáil

Having completed 40 years service in the public sector I have been in a unique position to observe the capacity of public sector workers in various roles and levels of seniority. 

Mon, 03 Nov, 2014

Forget the IMMA board debacle, we need to examine Aosdána

Too much energy has been wasted on the bushfire which flared since the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) board appointments debacle.

Tue, 07 Oct, 2014

Financial transparency vital for accountable democracy

The United States tax authorities have recently reported that foreign corporations, incorporated in Ireland but controlled by 666 American corporations, reported current earnings and profits, before tax, of $87.12 billion for 2010 and that tax on these earnings amounted to $2.9bn (3.3%).

Sat, 28 Jun, 2014

How to make new banking inquiry credible

When the decision to establish an Oireachtas Joint Committee to conduct a banking inquiry was announced in April, over 12 months after the expiry of the blanket bank guarantee, we were advised that public confidence would be inspired because the banking inquiry would demonstrate ‘an example of parliament at its best’, as it would be the first inquiry conducted under new enabling legislation.

Tue, 17 Jun, 2014

Will all policing be funded by donations?

The generosity of Tom Cavanagh in donating €45,000 towards the purchase of a Garda bus to support community policing in Gurranabraher (Irish Examiner, April 17) is commendable.

Mon, 21 Apr, 2014

Public ignorant of Rehab accounts

Taxpayers have been informed for the first time that they are providing €80m to €90m of Rehab’s total annual funding. To put the scale and sacrifice associated with this State expenditure in context, an annual cut of €60m on special needs assistants in primary schools was prescribed by An Bord Snip Nua in 2009.

Thu, 17 Apr, 2014

What next for Ireland and Ugandan relationship?

The Ugandan President signed into law on February 24 legislation that criminalises homosexuality. This new law provides for a 14-year jail term for a first offence and life imprisonment for the offence of ‘aggravated homosexuality’.

Sat, 01 Mar, 2014

Normalise our native language, or lose it

Myles Duffy (Letters, Febraury 26) misses the point. The Irish language has never been nurtured by the State.

Fri, 28 Feb, 2014

Irish language groups should look at GAA

The Irish language protests in Connemara last weekend were a damp squib.

Wed, 26 Feb, 2014

Holy See mission closure lacked foresight

The Government intends to open a ‘scaled-down’ diplomatic mission to the Holy See, which it closed ostensibly to ‘save money’.

Tue, 28 Jan, 2014

Public trust in charity sector must be earned

Your front page headline “We’re the real victims: Rehab” (Irish Examiner, Jan 23) is a spectacular example of how the charity sector fails to distinguish self interest from the public interest.

Fri, 24 Jan, 2014

Tánaiste needs to get tough on Uganda same-sex stance

When former president Mary McAleese remarked in Scotland last month that ‘a very large number’ of Catholic priests are homosexual, the response of the Catholic Church in Ireland was that it was up to Mrs McAleese ‘to raise these matters’, but that the Church does not respond to reported comments of individuals.

Sat, 18 Jan, 2014

We need more than prudent policies

Enda Kenny has told the people that exiting the bailout sends a powerful signal internationally; that now is not the time to change direction and that the future is to be about employment generating enterprise, not personal deal-making.

Tue, 17 Dec, 2013

Will there be a change in the licence fee?

Communications minister Pat Rabbitte declares that he ‘can live with’ a reduction of €5m paid by the Department of Social Protection to RTÉ in respect of ‘free’ television licences provided as a component of the household benefits package.

Tue, 22 Oct, 2013