Sir, – Taoiseach Micheál Martin has remarked that the Occupied Territories Bill will have no immediate impact on the Israeli assault on Gaza (“Taoiseach says Irish Bill will not affect immediate decisions of Israel on Gaza”, News, March 21st). It is unclear why he said this. Who ever claimed it would?
The Occupied Territories Bill relates primarily to Israel’s illegal settlements in the West Bank and will align Ireland with the International Court of Justice advisory opinion of July 2024. Indeed, this imperative is specifically referenced in the published programme for government.
It will have an additional effect in the sense that it will be the first purposeful sanction enacted by Ireland against the rogue state of Israel since the slaughter in Gaza began in October 2023. We are now nearing 50,000 dead, with many more missing, and Israel still acts with impunity. The Occupied Territories Bill would be a useful beginning and will encourage other states to bring in similar legislation.
However, Mr Martin seems to be taking every opportunity to snipe at and undermine the Bill. It is obvious, also, that the intention now is to water it down by excluding services. Has a legal measure ever been “progressed” by a government with less enthusiasm? – Yours, etc,
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FINTAN LANE,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
Nuclear disarmament
Sir, – I am writing in response to Anthony Moore’s article “Era of nuclear disarmament may be coming to an end” (Opinion & Analysis, March 13th). Throughout the article, Anthony Moore expresses his concerns regarding nuclear weapons, a very relevant subject in this day and age, considering what is ongoing between Russia and Ukraine.
I’m proud to be from a country that “paved the way” for the non-proliferation treaty. Growing up in Ireland, the possibility of nuclear attacks were not something we ever had to be worried about.
But now, as a teenager with my future ahead of me, and with the threat of countries possibly backing out of the treaty, my concern for our safety is growing. – Yours, etc,
FAYE LENEHAN,
Scoil Chaitríona,
Glasnevin.
Co Dublin.
A legislative logjam in the Dáil
Sir, – No Dáil committees have yet been constituted to examine legislation as it passes through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
It therefore is little wonder that only two pieces of legislation, one piece of law and one statutory instrument, have been signed into law in the calendar year 2025 so far.
Instead we have been subjected to a barrage of tweets, messages on Instagram and other social media platforms as our leaders “commentate” on worldwide news rather than being the creators of the news through the results of their actions and work.
I would suggest that they increase their visibility and relevance by being in the Dáil and delivering for the voters on their much-vaunted programme for government; after all, time is moving on and there is much work to be done. – Yours, etc,
ANTAINE O’DUIBHIR,
Dublin 6.
In defence of Pope Francis
Sir, – I feel it necessary to comment on Diarmaid Ferriter’s article about Pope Francis (Opinion & Analysis, March 21st).
The reality is that the church is over 2,000 years old. How can the church be expected to change so quickly, particularly when there are many very traditionalist people in power who do not want change?
Pope Francis’s legacy should not be underestimated. He has opened the church to conversation and debate, emphasising compassion, inclusivity and reform. – Yours, etc,
MARIAN WHITE,
Stillorgan,
Co Dublin.
Psychiatric care and GPs
Sir, – In Prof Brendan Kelly’s outline of pending legislation (Opinion & Analysis, March 19th), there appears to be no in-built protection for An Garda Síochána, or community-based family doctors, who often struggle to cope with sometimes violent mentally ill patients, while attempting to assess them, often late at night, in many times unsuitable locations. All while doing our best to look after the best interests of our patients. – Yours, etc,
Dr JOHN CASEY, Snr,
Clifden,
Co Galway.
Online retailing
Sir, – The news that Amazon has launched a dedicated website for Irish online purchasers almost certainly signals an increase in the dozens of delivery vans whizzing through our suburbs and stopping suddenly to deliver an order (“The Irish Times view on Amazon.ie: good news for some”, March 20th).
It certainly marks a culture change from the middle of the last century when privileged customers of grocery retailers, like Findlaters, had their goods delivered by messenger boy riding an unwieldy iron-framed bike.
That certainly marked out the haves from the have-nots. – Yours, etc,
TONY CORCORAN,
Dublin 14.
Remembering Eddie Jordan
Sir, – Further to “Eddie Jordan: Business maverick, wannabe rock star, Formula One legend”, Justin Hynes (Sport, March 20th), what Eddie Jordan did in starting his own F1 team in the 1990s would be impossible nowadays. The bizarre thing is, it was a nigh-on impossible feat then too, but he managed it. – Yours, etc,
HENRY CRUISE,
Celbridge,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – I was a member of the Jordan Grand Prix Supporters Club for many years. One of the advantages was that you could buy three-day tickets for the British Grand Prix in Silverstone. So the supporters club would have a marquee at the circuit as Silverstone as this was Jordan’s home grand prix. So Eddie would have been particularly busy with the race and sponsors, guests, etc. It always impressed me that Eddie made sure to bring the drivers to the supporters club to chat to the group and take photos. It said it all about the man. What a special person he was. An inspiration. – Yours, etc,
PAT KENNEDY,
Navan,
Co Meath.
Here’s one we made earlier
Sir, – In you editorial “The Irish Times view on English language skills: changing the way it is taught” (March 20th), I saw the term “pre-prepared”. I think the word “prepared” on its own is adequate. – Yours, etc,
COLIN PRATT,
Killala,
Co Mayo.
The sleep of the just
Sir, – I am sure that there may be health benefits with technology “to allow us to take more responsibility for our wellbeing” (“It’s like having a personal health coach in your pocket”, Magazine, March 22nd).
However, I am still trying to get my head around that the first thing that the person featured does when he wakes “is to check the health wearable device on his wrist to see how well it reckons he slept”. Surely he knows how well he slept the moment he opens his eyes ? – Yours, etc,
MIKE MORAN,
Dublin 3.
Trump and a trade war
Sir, – I’m not an economist, but it strikes me that Ireland’s best response to the coming trade war is not panic, but it should embrace adaptability, invest in resilience, and avoid the trap of nostalgia (“How to survive a trade war: the Government prepares for US-EU tit-for-tat tariffs”, Analysis, March 22nd).
Mr Trump’s tariffs are not merely economic skirmishes; they are symptoms of a shifting global order where old certainties – free trade, stability, rational policy – are eroding.
Rather than lamenting lost predictability, Ireland should lean into its strengths: innovation, diplomacy, and a keen ability to pivot. The country’s economic success has always been built on agility rather than entitlement. This moment calls not for panic, but for smart, forward-looking strategy. – Yours, etc,
ENDA CULLEN,
Armagh.
