Death of Pope Francis
Sir, – Amid the noise of consumer culture, social media distractions and a growing sense of disconnection, Pope Francis emerged as a source of inspiration for our young people.
From the beginning of his papacy, what set him apart were the qualities he embodied – humility, compassion and a radical commitment to the marginalised and to the care of creation. These values resonated deeply with a generation increasingly concerned with social justice, inclusion and environmental sustainability.
Pope Francis signalled a new kind of leadership – one rooted in service, not power.
He showed that in the Catholic Church, there is room for everyone, just the way we are. No one is left out or left over. He did not want young people to become discouraged.
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He wanted them to dream great things, to seek vast horizons, to aim higher, to take on the world, to accept challenges and to offer the best of themselves to the building of something better.
He urged young people not to go through life anaesthetised or approach the world like tourists. He called on them to “make a ruckus!”
He promoted a culture of encounter, discernment and dialogue and become a global voice for care for the earth. In his encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si, he presented ecological concern not as a political issue but a spiritual and moral one, urging humanity to shift from exploitation to stewardship of the earth.
In doing so, he connected deeply with young activists and environmentalists, many of whom may not identify as religious but still find profound meaning in his message.
He saw migration as a structural phenomenon and not as a passing emergency. He challenged our thinking on this and reminded us that the only time that we are allowed to look down upon others is when we are offering to help them up.
His view of education was not about knowing things or taking lessons but about being able to use three lingos: those of the head, the heart, and the hands – learning so that you can think about what you feel and do, can feel what you think and do, and can do what you feel and think. He forced us to think about the pursuit of the good, rather than the good time.
Pope Francis may not have provided all the answers, but he did invite young people into the deeper questions of life – questions about who we are, what we are called to do, and how we might live in greater solidarity with each other and with the earth.
In this invitation, many found not only inspiration, but meaning. In his post-synodal apostolic exhortation, Christus Vivit, he speaks directly to young people reminding them that the Church needs their momentum, their intuitions and their faith. “We need them! And when you arrive where we have not yet reached, have the patience to wait for us.” – Yours, etc,
JOHN McHUGH,
Principal,
Ardscoil Rís,
Griffith Avenue,
Dublin 9.
Sir, – Patsy McGarry’s list of his “papabiles” (“The six men who could take the reins”, April 23rd) does not include a serious conservative such as Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary.
While the majority of the cardinal electors were appointed by the late pope and might be expected to unite behind someone like Cardinal Tagle of the Philippines, who would follow in his footsteps, they are all newcomers to the machinations of Vatican diplomacy, unlike many of their more conservative brothers.
It would be a serious setback for the future of the Catholic Church and the world if someone like Cardinal Erdo was elected pope.
However, the current unstable geo-political situation, where the hard-won democratic gains of the last century are being overturned, may influence the cardinal electors with the possible result of a neo-conservative cardinal being elected pope. – Yours, etc.
BRENDAN BUTLER,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 9.
Sir, – Given the President and the Taoiseach will attend the funeral of the late Pope Francis, I find it distasteful that the Tánaiste also plans to be present. After all, Fine Gael, with their coalition colleagues in Labour, clamoured and succeeded in closing Ireland’s Embassy to the Holy See in an extremely disrespectful strategy which was ultimately reversed.
Pope Francis phoned the Catholic Church in Gaza every single night since October 2023 until Easter 2025 – a simple action expressing significant solidarity with Palestine where in a one-year period, 1,238 Palestinian families were wiped out. (From October 2023-October 2024).
I cannot think of greater moral leadership than this. – Yours, etc,
CAITRIONA LAWLOR,
Mount Merrion,
Dublin.
A levy on hotel rooms
Sir, – In his article in yesterday’s edition (“Would you prefer a hotel room tax or higher property tax?”), John McManus poses an important question: would we prefer a hotel room tax or higher property tax?
For those of us in local government, the answer is clear. With limited control over the Local Property Tax and commercial rates, councils have few options – and a modest hotel room levy is one practical, widely used solution.
Ireland remains one of the most centralised countries in Europe. Councils are underfunded, tightly controlled, and expected to deliver more each year without the powers to raise revenue or plan long-term.
Key income streams are either set nationally or heavily constrained by legislation, leaving councils little room to respond to local needs.
Tourism is a major part of Fingal’s economy – from Dublin Airport and coastal towns to heritage sites and food experiences. The new Fingal Tourism Strategy sets out a clear vision to grow sustainable tourism, with plans for trails, blueways, upgraded beach facilities, events, and bookable experiences. But none of that can happen without sustainable funding.
A modest levy on overnight stays follows the same principle as a development levy – a ringfenced charge used to fund infrastructure needed to support additional demand.
In this case, it would allow Fingal to reinvest directly in the tourism sector, improving what we already offer and supporting the local jobs that depend on it. It is standard practice across much of Europe, yet Irish councils still don’t have the power to introduce one.
A hotel room levy is not just about raising revenue – it’s about building capacity. It would let Fingal reinvest in the services, amenities and experiences that support tourism, protect local quality of life, and create long-term value. A great place to live is also a great place to visit – and local government should be empowered to deliver both. – Yours, etc,
Cllr JAMES HUMPHREYS
Swords,
Co Dublin.
Electricity interconnector
Sir, – John FitzGerald highlights the high price we are paying for the failure to build a simple electricity interconnector between Meath and Tyrone (“Failure to connect electricity systems has cost us dearly”, Business This Week, April 18th). The all-island electricity market is the most substantial initiative between North and South since the Good Friday agreement. In terms of energy security, emissions reductions and lower electricity prices, it was a win-win to mesh the two systems.
However, when Fitzgerald says that it has not been delivered for almost two decades “due to delays, North and South, in the planning and permitting system”, he is being circumspect. It has not been delivered because of a well-financed opposition campaign trading on claims about undergrounding and risks to public health that have no scientific basis. Local politicians were badgered into acquiescence.
As energy minister, I brought in international experts who found that the cost of undergrounding would be approximately three-and-a-half times as expensive and demonstrated that, with occasional exceptions for short, bespoke challenges, overhead cables throughout Europe are the norm.
The significance now is not merely that the North-South interconnector is stalled but that the same tactics and erroneous advocacy has been – and will be – applied to obstruct strengthening the grid. We cannot exploit the potential of our wind resources – not to mention the casual assumptions about offshore wind – without building out the grid.
Building out big infrastructure is becoming more, not less, difficult although our future prosperity depends on it. – Yours, etc,
PAT RABBITTE,
Monastery Drive,
Dublin 22.
Shingles vaccination
Sir,- Congratulations and best wishes to Prof Mary Horgan, Ireland’s interim Chief Medical Officer (“People often forget how bad infections were; our memories sometimes are short”, Home News, April 22nd).
It was lovely to get a glimpse of the person behind such an important role. As a retired nurse, I agree wholeheartedly with Prof Horgan’s hope that we live our lifespan as healthy as possible, for as long as possible.
As stated in the article, vaccination has always been a particular passion of hers.
So may I suggest that free shingles vaccination for older people in this country could be added to her agenda.
This vaccine is currently free in the UK and many European countries to qualifying senior citizens, so why not in Ireland? – Yours, etc,
KATHLEEN FAGAN,
Dublin 3.
‘Away out of that’
Sir, – When my grandfather wanted to express astonishment or disbelief, he would say “Away out o’ that with you!” – Yours, etc,
MARTYN TODD,
Saintfield,
Co Down.
Trump’s America
Sir, – It was quite odd to see US president Donald Trump speak on the death of Pope Francis from the balcony of the White House with the First Lady and life-size Easter bunny by his side. Very dignified. – Yours, etc,
JOHN MORRISON,
Kildinan,
Co Cork.
E-bikes and the law
Sir, – A lot of confusion has been created over the outcome of a recent court case involving a collision between a pedestrian and an ebike as to whether all e-bikes are now classed as mechanically propelled vehicles (MPVs) and therefore require motor insurance.
Firstly, the District Court in this case didn’t make a finding that an ebike is an MPV, it rather made a finding of guilt in relation to careless driving after an admission of guilt by the accused, nothing more. An MPV is clearly defined in law by The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 which amended the Road Traffic Act 1961 definition of an MPV.
The 2023 amendment clearly defines an MPV in the case of an electric bicycle or tricycle as having a maximum, continuous rated power “greater” than 0.25 kilowatts. Any electrical bicycle with less than a continuous rated power of 0.25 kilowatts therefore cannot be suddenly defined as an MPV by a court unless the statute/subsection concerned is found to be unconstitutional following a judicial review by the superior courts.
It should be noted that under the 1961 Road Traffic Act, an ordinary pedal cyclist could always be charged with careless driving where the operator fails to exercise reasonable care and attention while cycling in a public place. Dangerous and careless driving charges apply to “vehicles” (which includes pedal cycles) and not exclusively to MPVs.
As to civil litigation, any person operating a vehicle (pedal cycle) or MPV were always and continue to be open to civil liability where the operator is found to have acted negligently resulting in injury to another person or property. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL CALLAN,
Dundalk,
Co Louth.
