Many years ago working in a pub in Brighton, there was a character called Willie. Willie sent money back to Ireland, but never got back himself.
As a teenager leaving Ireland, his mother said to him: “Never forget, you are Irish.” I got so busy the last few years trying to survive that I had almost forgotten what it was to be Irish, and then I watched Story of a Songbird: Dolores @70.
It brought back memories of going to fleadhs in the late ‘70s, working in pubs in London and Brighton in the ‘80s, and then the US in the ‘90s.
In the 2000s, lots of people came back and built this wonderful country up to be what it is today.
When you think of the hardship Irish people went through and what money they sent back here, during those lonely years, the incredible love they had for their families and country is evident.
I knew many who sent money back, but never got back themselves. It was the love of Ireland that kept them going and they died in such lonely circumstances.
We are an incredible people and I guess that’s why other countries love us. However, we still need to learn how to manage our country, stand back every so often, and take note of pitfalls and make sure not to fall into one — as it won’t be so easy to get out of it.
We have something very precious and we must not allow a few to destroy what generations before us have slaved to give us.
I’m on the ground every day. I meet hundreds of people every month from the wealthy to those just surviving, all nationalities.
I’m more a listener than a talker, so people love chatting to me, and the feeling I get is not good.
You know it could easily be solved, but somebody needs to put the foot on the brake and let’s all reset.
David Hennessy
Dawson Street, Dublin 2
Tax amnesty a gesture of goodwill
I disagree strongly with the reason given by the Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, for not favouring direct exchequer funding for RTÉ.
He states that this model would leave RTÉ having to compete for funding with frontline services — such as health and education.
I actually think that this would be a great idea! Public funding should always follow the Government’s agreed priority, and if that leaves RTÉ either at the end of the list or with less funding than it is guaranteed presently — so be it!
Public service broadcasting is a service — the same as health or education — and, as such, should not be wrapped in cotton wool and put safely to one side with guaranteed funding. It must join the cut-and-thrust for funding with every other public service.
Revenue is the State organisation with responsibility for collecting taxes and does so quite efficiently online, without the need to engage in posting a litany of letters or purchase threatening adverts — both hallmarks of the clumsy and divisive vehicle employed presently for the collection of the “licence fee”.
To regain the public’s trust and continued pride in our top-notch broadcasting service, there should be a “broadcasting tax” amnesty this year for every household in Ireland. This would not only act as a sign of gratitude and humility from RTÉ, but also an apology for years of mishandling enormous sums of money. It would undoubtedly be a well-received goodwill gesture with which to start afresh.
Fergal Collins
Mulhuddart, Dublin 15
Call foul on minister
I wonder what planet the Minister of Agriculture is living on. It’s certainly not the same as the rest of us.
He says that he has to tell servers in restaurants to take back some of the food — because they overload his plate!
I must get in touch with the minister and ask him what restaurants he eats in, because my experience of restaurants is a small amount of food and being charged extortionate prices in the main.
So I do not think that Big Brother, namely the Government, should be telling us what we can and can’t eat.
Mind you, I suspect the minister probably does not eat much more than what a bird would eat, and if he gets a proper portion of food — he calls foul!
Well minister, the rest of us live in the real world — so lay off!
Declan O’Connell
Newbridge, Co Kildare
West has lost its moral compass
It is interesting to look at the disparity in the US and EU treatment of Ukraine and Gaza.
Both cases are similar, according to the UN — with Russia and Israel illegally occupying Ukraine and Gaza, respectively.
In the case of Ukraine and Russian aggression, there is wholehearted support by the US and EU of the victim. In the case of Gaza, the support — on the whole — from both powers is for Israel, the aggressor.
The EU gates were opened immediately after the war started for the millions of Ukrainian refugees — with hospitality that no other similar victims had seen in the past. However, no such welcome has been offered for the people of Gaza. The only reference in the press I could find in this regard is that France undertook to take 50 injured Palestinian children.
There were also massive draconian sanctions against everything Russian. This was not only economic, but included sport and arts.
Concerts were cancelled and Russian artists, writers, and musicians were boycotted. Nothing like this for Israel though — even though there were more people killed in Gaza in a few months than in Ukraine over two years.
The asymmetries, in terms of arms supplies, are also stark. While the West supplies Ukraine with billions in arms, it also sells arms to Israel.
It also threatens sanctions to any regime that supports the Palestinians.
This proves that the West, on the whole, has lost its moral compass and we are in dangerous waters.
Donal Deering
Sion Rd, Kilkenny
Radio slot for all
I’m really disappointed that the Oldies and Irish slot had been slashed in half. I have been listening to Derry O’Callaghan doing this Sunday slot for years, and look forward to it every week.
I agree that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it does appeal to a wide range of listeners.
In particular, it was inclusive of all age groups. It brought listeners together from both home and abroad — albeit many are Cork families. But isn’t 96FM supposed to be our “local” radio station? I’m not opposed to moving with the times, or providing programmes that are more appealing or what listeners demand, but I entirely disagree with this change as do many others I know.
Mary Cosgrave
Rochestown, Cork
More of the same
I’m very disappointed in the decision to cut two hours from the Oldies and Irish show. I’m listening to this show since it first aired, and I look forward to it every week.
It’s the only show of its type on this station and I don’t understand why two hours have to be deducted every Sunday — just to play the same music that’s already played all the other hours of the day.
I suppose I’ll just have to wait until 12pm every Sunday to tune into Cork’s 96FM instead of 10am.
Noreen O’Mahony
Farranree, Cork
96FM loses listener
It’s utterly disgraceful that this iconic Sunday morning show has been cut to two hours.
My family and I have been listening to this programme for as long as I can remember.
Whoever is responsible for programming in 96FM should be ashamed of themselves for doing such a horrible thing. I, for one, will now not listen to 96FM until this decision is reversed.
I am really very disappointed with this decision. I can’t forgive Tubridy for what he did when he was with RTÉ. It now proves it's all about money.
Pat O’Brien
Blarney Road, Cork
Troops in unique position to observe
The assassination of Saleh al-Arouri in Beruit has brought even closer focus on whether full-scale hostilities will break out between the Hezbollah, in the border zone of Lebanon and Israel.
The immediate consequence of such a development for Ireland pertains to the safety of our troops deployed with the UN in that border area.
In the past days, there has been prominent discussion in the media as to whether we should withdraw our contingent before the “worst comes to the worst”.
Such a withdrawal — I would hope — is down the list of issues to be considered at the moment, and it should be remembered that Defence Forces contingents have already witnessed full-blown hostilities in their area — as in the Israeli invasion on July 12, 2006.
It is important to keep in mind that if the operational ability of our troops is muted by full-scale hostilities, they will still be in a unique position to observe events and incidents between the combatants.
The many years of “bearing witness” in some of the most troubled areas of the world has garnered for Ireland a creditable, respected, and influential status in the world.
Every individual will be keenly aware of and practised in vital duties and procedures, will know where the nearest bunker is, and will be confident that comrades have their back at all times.
We must not lose sight of the families at home — feeling separated and “counting the days”.
Because of the dedication and professionalism of those abroad and the endurance and forbearance of their families at home, it could be even worse for people in war-torn lands.
Michael Gannon
(Retd. Defence Forces)
St Thomas Square, Kilkenny city
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