Letters to the Editor: Government must show courage on climate change
'We have been baking in 30C heat while preparing for the next round of storms and floods.' Picture: iStock
Pádraic Fogarty rightly highlights the many failures of the Government’s approach to climate change — ‘Taking a very long time to ‘bring everyone with us’’ (Irish Examiner, June 22).
This approach is both patronising and naive. It is patronising because it suggests the public at large does not understand the issue. It is naive because it implies the recalcitrant minority could be “brought with us” if we just compromise, water down, and backpedal enough.
We have been baking in 30C heat while preparing for the next round of storms and floods. Our farmers are struggling to survive, and we are food insecure. Our national water network is held together with Blue Tac and positive vibes, and we are at risk of gas and fuel shortages because of conflicts abroad. If they’re not with us by now, I think it’s safe to assume they don’t want to come along.
The vast majority of people are well aware that action is needed.
Those with enough resources are already taking actions like installing solar panels or switching to electric vehicles. But these options are not affordable for many people, and, in any case, individual actions will never be enough to slow down the warming of the planet.
Individual people, businesses, and communities simply cannot make the necessary changes to incentive structures in areas like energy, water, food, and transport.
We need our Government to show vision, courage, and conscience. We don’t need to be brought with the Government, the Government needs to be brought with us.
I am writing regarding the recent suspected arson attack on a mosque in Dublin city centre.
I am a doctor working in Dublin, and a practising Muslim. While originally from Pakistan, I have been living in Ireland for 25 years.
There has evidently been an increase in anti-immigrant sentiment in recent years. However, this has escalated in recent months, with some particularly concerning events: a planned terrorist attack on Mary Mosque in Galway, a Muslim lady attacked with a knife in Dublin City, homes of immigrants burned in Belfast, and the recent example of a suspected arson attack on a mosque in Talbot St. This “vocal minority” seem to be a lot more than just vocal now, and are gaining in popularity.
“We do not want Islam in Ireland” — appears to be the sentiment behind these acts. Muslims are viewed as trying to “take over” the Irish way of life.
This is a concept I reject wholly, and by way of practical example wish to express the actual impact that a practising Muslim has in Ireland. I am part of a Muslim youth group (the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association of Ireland), which focuses mainly on service to humanity. In June, we held our 11th annual 5K charity walk in Galway, raising over €8,000 for St Vincent De Paul and Barnardos.
Since 2015, we have raised over €110,000 for various Irish charities through events like this. We will be focusing efforts now on registering our youth members with the Blood Transfusion Service, so we can encourage blood donation as a group. These activities are not for publicity. We do it in accordance with our faith’s emphasis on supporting those in need.
Contrast this impact on Irish society with the hurt, pain, and destruction caused by the misguided few that believe they are championing a ‘noble’ Irish resistance to this perceived threat. Some reflection can help towards understanding the recent trends.
During times of widespread financial hardship, certain figures often exploit public frustration by scapegoating minorities to distract from real economic issues and to consolidate their own power.
This is not to say that immigration should not be discussed. While it is quite valid for someone to harbour concerns about their country’s approach to migration, it can certainly be tackled without resorting to violence against the innocent migrants who had nothing to do with deciding the policy.
Unity in these times is hugely important.
These acts aim to divide us. The lesson that a misguided few do not represent the whole group is important, and should be acknowledged on both sides.
A strong collective voice of condemnation cannot be understated, as it goes a significant way in setting expectations of what is and is not acceptable. An oft-quoted saying comes to mind: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
I write today to put my beliefs into practice. While the core message might seem familiar, I hope it sparks a fresh and meaningful conversation among readers.
I was looking in your paper on the morning of June 29 for a report from the All-Ireland camogie quarter-final between Galway and Tipperary which was played the day before.
However, I could find no analysis of the game. I did, however, notice that there was no shortage of coverage on men’s games across the board for Gaelic, soccer, horse riding, rugby etc.
I counted 110 pictures of men active in their respective sports and 19 of women. This did include a picture and a report from the Cork v Waterford quarter-final which saw Cork win. What a pity your paper could not report on the Galway v Tipperary match which Galway won.
Women are active in sport throughout the country, as is evident from the camogie matches played at the weekend, so why is your paper not reporting on the games they play in the same way that men’s games are reported?
Is it unconscious bias?
I read, with much enjoyment, Mick Clifford’s article ‘Speakers’ Corner remains hallowed ground for ideas’ (Irish Examiner, June 27).
Back in the late 1950s, early 1960s (before I met the present Mrs Hyland) it was my playground on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
With targets such as Dr Donald Soper (West London Methodist Mission — really a branch of the Communist Party), Desmond Greaves (The Connolly Association, an Irish communist society) — Heaven.
Add to that, people like Norman, a London taxi driver with a terrible stammer who, in an effort to overcome his disability, would deliver lectures on ‘how to walk on a mantlepiece’ and other such subjects or, Billy McGuinness (an alcoholic) who commenced most of his talks with gems like (with a Dublin accent): “I come from a long line of rebels. When Moses was in the desert, the Lord said that them that isn’t with us is agin’ us and my name’s McGuinness”. And finish with “I don’t mind what yer politics is but, I will pass me hat among yiz and I hope yis’ll be liberal”.
I would go there on Saturday evening to hear the themes, go home, study, and come back prepared on Sunday. My best (in my anything-but-humble opinion) was one Sunday at a point in Soper’s talk when I halted him and read a text. He recognised it as a passage from
Marx/Engels/Manifesto, and suggested I might be in a state of mortal sin, but I responded that I was there at the behest of the Cardinal-Archbishop of Westminster to controvert him. He couldn’t take the jeers.
Tourism is one of Ireland’s most vital indigenous industries, contributing over €10bn annually to the economy and sustaining 258,000 jobs. It serves as a crucial driver for regional and rural development, returning massive tax revenues to the exchequer to support public services.
Unfortunately, industrial dairy farming is putting a severe curb on tourism in intensive dairy areas.
The smell is frequently cited as a major complaint, with intense odours affecting areas near tourist destinations.
In some instances, tourists have reported having to flee from holiday villages and scenic spots due to the smell.
The strong odour profile of slurry can trigger nausea, vomiting, headaches, and burning or watering eyes, particularly on calm, humid days when fumes do not disperse quickly.
Poor slurry spreading practices, particularly near watercourses, can lead to the pollution of rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, which can negatively affect swimming, fishing, and boating.
The aesthetic impact of tankers spreading foul sewage on fields and the odour conflicts with the image of a “pristine” rural landscape that many tourists come to experience, particularly in scenic areas.
Contrast the tourist areas of west Kerry which are kept free from the obnoxious slurry and the heavily polluted tourist areas of West Cork, no comparison.
