Letters to the Editor: Tricolour so much more than a political tool
Our flag is so much more than a political tool. It represents the binding vision of different traditions â green and orange â coming together in peace and equality, represented by the white in the middle. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
I am writing in response to the recent coverage, specifically articles detailing calls from Dublin City councillors for additional, issue-based flags to be flown around Dublin and across the country to âcounter-actâ the perceived weaponisation of the Irish national flag.
While the intentions behind promoting flags for worthy causes most certainly comes from a good place, I believe this suggestion is profoundly misplaced.
It risks creating an unnecessary debate and, more significantly, implies that there is something
inherently wrong with the display of our national flag, the Tricolour. This could not be further from the truth.
It is undeniable that various factions, from certain republican groups in the past to those on the far right more recently, have used or appropriated the national flag to advance partisan agendas, often conveying messages designed to intimidate or exclude.
The assertion that a proudly displayed Tricolour is now inherently a sign of hostility toward immigrants, or that it is designed to convey the message that âIreland is fullâ, is dangerous.
Our flag is so much more than a political tool. It represents the binding vision of different traditions â green and orange â coming together in peace and equality, represented by the white in the middle.
As both presidential candidates have recently voiced support for education on the flagâs origins and proper respect in schools, I offer a concrete suggestion to decisively reclaim this national symbol: The new incumbent of Ăras an UachtarĂĄin should organise a flag initiative.
Let the president mark their term by sending a high-quality Tricolour to every single household and school in the country, encouraging citizens to fly it proudly outside their residences.
This is a common practice in countries like the United States and Canada, where national pride is visibly displayed.
By disseminating the flag widely and encouraging its display by ordinary Irish people, we collectively take the power away from any specific group seeking to use it for divisive ends.
The Irish people will be reclaiming their flag and flying it with pride. This approach is the only non-controversial way to address the concerns about appropriation while simultaneously serving as a powerful, unifying reminder of how far we have come as a diverse and progressive republic.
Killian Brennan, Malahide Rd, Dublin 17
Care of greyhounds rarely makes news
I read Fergus Finlayâs article on greyhound racing and was disappointed by how unfairly it portrayed the sport.
Those of us who live and work with these dogs see the care, the joy, and the real commitment behind it â a side that rarely makes the headlines.
Most of the sportâs funding comes from a levy on betting, not directly from taxpayers, and it helps pay for vets, welfare checks, and safer tracks.
Greyhound racing also supports thousands of rural livelihoods â breeders, kennel hands, feed suppliers, vets, transporters â and whole communities built around care for these dogs.
The injury and death numbers often quoted donât show the full story.
Most dogs race safely, and some of the deaths recorded have nothing to do with racing at all â theyâre from natural causes or illness.
Those of us who live with greyhounds see their joy, their spirit, and their love of running.
We welcome high standards and open debate, but it should be based on facts not fear.
Deirdre Leahy, Greyhound owner and breeder, Co Kilkenny
Neutrality attacked
It is perfectly possible to be pro-EU, and not to wish to be part of Nato, or to be forced to join in the latterâs perpetual post-colonial machinations and ambitions.
It is legitimate to say, and obviously true, that our neutrality is under attack.
We constantly read of the Irish armyâs participation in manoeuvres with British and European forces, when our military should participate only in peacekeeping missions under the aegis of the UN.
It may be embarrassing for our representatives on the Brussels cocktail circuit to have to represent the peaceful views of the majority of the Irish people, but that is what they were elected to do.
It is a clichĂ©, but true to say: All wars are bankersâ wars.
Nuala Norris, Sherkin Island, Cork
Tax waste at origin
Politicians worldwide acknowledge that we have a global plastic waste crisis on our hands.
Yet, apart from rhetoric, the response to date has been reactionary in nature.
Unfortunately, the political elite continues to ignore the principle of introducing a proactive waste management strategy in the fight to save our environment.
In contrast, for almost 30 years, I have advocated for the proactive concept of the introduction of taxation on all waste at the point of creation, to enable society to control the quality and quantity of waste coming into the waste chain.
This would provide the initiative to reduce or eliminate the detrimental materials being presented at waste management sites, while allowing for the implementation of proactive waste policies that would tackle the present environmental threat we are experiencing throughout the entire globe.
Tadhg OâDonovan, Fermoy, Co Cork
A shame to spoil your vote
I want to commend Fergus Finlay for his no-nonsense article on Tuesdayâs Irish Examiner.
I believe that anyone who goes out to spoil their vote should be ashamed of themselves.
People died in the foundation of this State for the right to vote.
To have the intellectual impoverishment to go to the ballot box to spoil oneâs vote doesnât sit easy with me.
May I suggest that these people avoid the ballot box altogether on Friday, and do the weekend shopping instead.
I find the idea of someone deciding to go to the ballot box and spoiling their vote to be such an abject thing to do.
Itâs especially important that
we donât hand our vote over to someone else. Fergus Finley sums it up well for me when he says: âTake 10 or 15 minutes out of your life, because thatâs all it takes, and choose the next president of your own country.â
John OâBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
Level playing field
Personally, I am not surprised at the lack of take-up of vacant property grants. If you want to lease the property out you have the following to contend with: You must purchase the property; renovate it fully; furnish it; lease it out for a period of 10 years; and have a tenant installed before you can seek payment of the grant.
The tenant has security of tenure (new regime) of six years, which the way things have been going with legislation is likely to be increased perhaps to an indefinite period, depending on the social pressures exerted on Government.
The income you get is taxed at 53%, and you basically have no rights. It takes years to remove tenants who breach their covenants, and you have no way of recovering any losses you incur.
Levelling the playing field would be a start in encouraging people into that market.
Joe Gormley, Galway
Faux FG outrage
I have to agree with Mick Cliffordâs analysis of Fine Gaelâs faux âoutrageâ directed at presidential candidate Catherine Connolly and, in particular, her time as a barrister. Given that Fine Gael as a party are at least partly responsible for record homelessness, it smacks of desperation and more than a little hubris. Connolly has wisely chosen to remain calm, dignified, and true to herself. Whether people like her politics or not, you canât help but like her as a person. Itâs now up to the people to decide.
Alan Mee, Kilmallock, Co Limerick
