Letters to the Editor: State visit to US is a slap in the face

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is due to continue the tradition of presenting the US president with shamrock on St Patrick's Day. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

I am writing as an Irish-born dual Irish and American citizen living in the US to express my profound disappointment at Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s decision to continue the tradition of visiting the US president for St Patrick’s Day this year amidst the ongoing US-backed genocide of the Palestinian people. 

Varadkar claims this meeting represents an opportunity to share with President Biden the Irish perspective on the issue. This is a disingenuous excuse, and both the Irish and American public know it. 

Biden has made it very clear by his actions that he is willing to ignore the wishes of the American people for an immediate ceasefire, he is certainly not going to adjust his unwavering support of the Israeli genocide because the Taoiseach asks him nicely. It is an insult to the Irish public and their demonstrated commitment to ending this genocide to pretend that attending the visit, rather than publicly refusing it, is in the best interests of the Palestinian people.

The invitation to the White House to celebrate St Patrick’s Day does, however, provide a chance for Ireland to stand up to the world’s biggest bully, who this week vetoed another UN ceasefire resolution, by refusing to attend. 

It gives Ireland the opportunity to say in no uncertain terms that enough is enough, that the US will not use Ireland to paint a picture of civility, diplomacy, and business-as-usual as it arms, funds, legally insulates, and denies a genocide. 

President Biden wears his Irish heritage like a badge of honour while Palestinian children are slaughtered by the thousands with American weapons. By attending the annual St Patrick’s Day celebration, Leo Varadkar sends a message to the world that the values of the Irish people and the lessons of Irish history come second to allegiance to the US, even when it comes to genocide. 

The only choice which preserves Irish integrity and communicates the strength of Ireland’s commitment to the people of Palestine in their hour of greatest need is to refuse to participate in this show of diplomatic alliance.

Since this genocide began, watching from across the Atlantic I have felt such immense pride in my home country and heritage. The Irish people have, again, set an example for all of steadfast solidarity against imperial violence and of moral integrity in the face of apathy and indifference to the suffering of the Palestinian people by the world’s superpowers. 

The Taoiseach’s decision now to maintain a tradition of friendly diplomacy with the US and President Biden, who is personally responsible for sending tens of billions of dollars in aid and arms to Israel, is a slap in the face to both the Irish public, who have mobilised en masse in solidarity with Palestine, and to centuries of Irish tradition of struggle against imperial power and violence.

Hannah Pittock, Washington DC 

Irish Government cannot stand by 

Nour Naser Abu Al-Nour and seven of her family members, including her two-year-old daughter, were killed by an Israeli airstrike on her family house in Rafah. 

On February 22, Dana Yaghi, also a lawyer at the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) Womens’ Rights Unit, was murdered along with 43 members of her family by an Israeli airstrike on the Yaghi family house in Deir Al-Balah.

In its more than 140 days of brutal bombardment of Gaza, Israel has killed countless human rights defenders, medics, journalists, academics, artists and athletes, among the at least 30,000 Palestinians whose lives it has violently cut short.

The PCHR has won multiple awards for its valuable work, and is one of the human rights defender organisations receiving funding from Irish aid. In this light, and in the wake of last Wednesday’s unanimous motion, moved by the Civic Engagement Group Senators Frances Black, Lynne Ruane, Alice Mary Higgins, and Eileen Flynn, calling for sanctions on Israel, the Occupied Territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill to be enacted, and for an international arms embargo, it is long past time for the Irish Government to reflect the will of the majority of the people and to act. 

The Government cannot continue to stand by as Palestinians are buried under the rubble of their homes in this genocide, are shot down in the streets or as children in Gaza starve to death even as the aid trucks pile up at the Rafah crossing, blocked entry by Israel, it must take action. Palestinian lives depend on it.

Zoë Lawlor, Chairperson, Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Dublin 1

Why do couples not get married?

We need to ask the question why some couples choose not to get married.

Marriage is available to any couple with a few restrictions: Age, familial connection, and ability to give consent. It doesn’t need to be a religious ceremony and costs about €200 in a registry office, and yet, some couples make the decision not to get married. This is particularly relevant when we consider that no one knows how the Supreme Court will interpret the phrase “durable relationships”, should the proposed amendment pass on March 8. If a co-habiting couple who made the decision not to get married are deemed to be the same as a married couple with all the rights and responsibilities that confers, consent has been removed completely. Couples will find themselves treated as a married couple when they have not given their explicit consent.

We are informed by government, that this phrase “durable relationships” is essential to include lone parents and co-habiting couples with children in the constitutional definition of family. Surely, something more direct along the lines of, “the definition of family includes any household where the parenting or legal guardianship of children takes place” would address that gap without the unintended consequence of forcing couples to accept the responsibilities of marriage against their will.

Victoria Farrell Artane, Dublin 5 

An exciting future 

In the immortal words of Alexandre Dumas, it’s “all for one, and one for all”. I refer not to the Three Musketeers but to our own Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Ladies Gaelic Football Association, (LGFA) and Camogie Association (CA) which will integrate into one association in 2027. 

Plans are afoot to have one association presiding over the Gaelic games by 2027, incorporating the GAA, the LGFA, and the CA. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportfile

We’ll have one association for Gaelic games where we’ll all belong with the common aim of promoting Gaelic games and Irish culture. In one association, Gaelic games will grow from strength to strength under a single administration with a common bond between all members.

The integration of GAA, LGFA, and CA will allow one association function more efficiently, effectively, and inclusively. Unlike the current situation, every club that offers one or more of men’s football, ladies’ football, camogie and hurling, will affiliate to one association. Consequently, it will be easier to streamline activities, fixtures and finances at club, county, provincial, and national level.

This momentous step towards unity is a testament to the three associations’ shared goal of creating an environment of excellence, a product of quality and a holistic development of players. The one association will foster the growth of Gaelic games and contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of its members. It will value the vital role of women in sport, emphasising inclusion, respect, equality, and togetherness.

Congratulations to Mary McAleese and her visionary steering group for recommending the complete integration of GAA, LGFA, and CA. This is what the membership of the three organisations strongly favours. The steering group has provided a pathway to an historic development of one association for all Gaelic games. There is now a roadmap and a timeline to deliver an exciting future for all three associations under one banner.

Billy Ryle, Tralee, Co Kerry 

Mothers shamed 

Gearóid Duffy is concerned by those who find the mention of the word “duties” objectionable in our Constitution.

I have no issue with the use of this word in relation to parents and their children. 

I do, however, find it outdated, sexist, and patronising that mothers might be considered neglectful of these duties if they go out to work. The reality is that, often, their homes are able to function, and their families to survive, only because such women put their shoulders to the wheel. 

Article 41.2 does not protect mothers. It shames them. It shames us all. It’s time for change, time to bring our Constitution into the 21st century. I’ll be voting yes yes.

Bernie Linnane, Dromahair, Co Leitrim 

Discussion on low-carbon options 

“Renewable” energy has become a synonym for “sustainable and low-carbon”, allowing a complete negation of low-carbon nuclear energy in an efficient, low-carbon, reliable electricity system.

However, renewable wind and solar are not “on demand”, they are irregular and unreliable. Nuclear could take the reliable low-carbon, base-load position, in support of wind and solar, allowing us to achieve our emissions targets.

What we need, and the public deserve, is an open and honest debate about all low-carbon options. Removal of existing legal barriers to nuclear would allow consideration of the developing small reactors.

In the meantime Ireland is in the disgraceful position of having the second-highest carbon emissions in Europe.

Anne Baily, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary