Sir, – Every day brings reports of violations of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Israel is continuing to shoot people dead beyond the so-called yellow line, which takes away at least 53 per cent of the Gaza Strip from Palestinians. Homes and infrastructure continue to be destroyed, and the promised flow of humanitarian aid is being deliberately obstructed.
Almost $50 million worth of essential goods from international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) remain stockpiled at crossings and warehouses, unable to reach those in need.
Israeli authorities have rejected 94 per cent of all requests from INGOs on October 10th-21st to have urgent shipments of aid, including water, food, tents and medical supplies into Gaza, three-quarters on the grounds that organisations are “not authorised” to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza. Meanwhile, a restrictive new INGO registration process further delays urgent humanitarian work.
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The restrictions are depriving Palestinians from life-saving aid and undermining co-ordination of the response system in Gaza, which relies on collaboration between local organisations, national institutions, UN agencies and international NGOs. Unrwa must be allowed to do its vital work.
The humanitarian crisis is worsening as winter approaches and temperatures plummet. Families will only have flimsy tented shelters to protect them from freezing conditions. Thousands remain without clean water or healthcare. The situation is particularly dire for women, especially pregnant and nursing mothers who face acute shortages of food, medicine and safe spaces.
The majority of people simply cannot afford the limited food available in the markets. In some areas, aid trucks have been looted out of desperation. Palestinian NGOs continue their work against the odds.
The reality on the ground is that this is a population still under siege, still suffering and still being denied the essentials of life.
Last week 41 organisations operating on the ground in Gaza, including ActionAid, called on the Government of Israel to uphold its commitments under the ceasefire agreement and international law and let humanitarian aid flow freely.
Humanitarian access is a legal obligation under international law, not a concession of the ceasefire. We cannot turn a blind eye with families sleeping in rubble and as children go hungry. The European Union cannot take sanctions off the table, when aid is obstructed and the illegal occupation continues apace. – Yours, etc,
KAROL BALFE,
Chief executive,
ActionAid Ireland,
Dublin 2.
Ireland’s failings
Sir, – The much-lauded article by John Collison (“Ireland is going backwards. Here’s how to get it moving”, Opinion, October 25th), in which he outlined many of the country’s failings with a corresponding prescription to remedy these, failed to identify poverty and inequality as areas to be addressed. The absence speaks volumes. – Yours, etc,
NESSAN VAUGHAN,
Baldoyle,
Dublin 13.
Sir, – John Collison aptly and cogently summarises what is wrong in terms of the public sector delivering big infrastructure projects.
Having worked in the public sector for most of my professional life, I can attest to the dedication, intelligence and ability of most public servants. However, in our efforts to avoid graft and corruption, the pendulum has tilted too far in the direction of regulation and process, at the expense of delivery and outcome.
This is not unique to us, as outlined in Mario Draghi’s report last year on EU suboptimal competitiveness, partly due to red tape and complex decision making, leading to delays.
In Ireland we spend a disproportionate amount of time worshipping at the altar dedicated to process. The process has to be perfect, irrespective of the time and or expense involved. However, as Voltaire reminds us, perfection is the enemy of good.
I have no qualifications in management, nor do I claim great expertise as a manager. However, when trying to complete a project, I followed the principles of the three Ds; discuss, decide and deliver. There needs to be adequate discussion, consultation and reflection (including appeals), but it needs to be time limited. Then there needs to be an informed decision. Too often decisions are not taken or are deferred.
We learned during the pandemic that it was possible for public and other bodies to make quick decisions often in the absence of all the information, and many of these were probably correct. Not making decisions interrupts delivery, which is ultimately what is important and what we should judge politicians and the public sector by. We need more streamlined processes that are primarily focused on delivery in an agreed timeline, and if that requires the Oireachtas to directly issue planning permission, for example, then so be it. Housing, transport, water and sewage provision, and other public infrastructure priorities, must be expedited. The stagnation in delivering such projects must end. – Yours, etc,
HILARY HUMPHREYS,
Phibsborough,
Dublin 7.
Fianna Fáil’s soul-searching
Sir, – As the members of Fianna Fáil analyse the results of the presidential election and the failure of their party’s campaign, they need to take on board that the selection and then withdrawal of Jim Gavin were not the only problems.
If the Government parties lost this election, they must also recognise and accept that Catherine Connolly, and her movement, won it – and by a landslide.
Fianna Fáil has not simply lost an election, however. The party has lost its identity and its soul. Indeed, the party looks more like Fine Gael every day, particularly in relation to foreign policy.
Members of Fianna Fáil are now talking about a change in leadership and how to regain the confidence of their supporters. In their deliberations, they need to reflect on the winning principles and policies of Ms Connolly – peace, Irish neutrality, and the triple lock, as well as compassion and social justice.
Fianna Fáil needs to return to its principles – its own identity as a party. Party members might remember Éamon de Valera and what he believed to be the role of small states when the bigger states fail to prevent war; Frank Aiken and his “Irish Resolutions” in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; and Erskine Childers and his work in upholding the principles of the United Nations. In searching for the soul of the party, members will find policies of peace and neutrality. And they will discover that their foreign policy was, in the past, much more in line with Article 29 of Bunreacht na hÉireann.
The president elect is in tune with the wishes, beliefs and true identity of the Irish people – a friendly nation, dedicated to the pacific resolution of international conflict through international arbitration or judicial determination (Article 29).
If Fianna Fáil is to survive, the party needs to take heed of Ms Connolly’s mandate. – Yours, etc,
MARIAN NAUGHTON,
Naas,
Co Kildare.
Election commentary
Sir, – Much of the commentary on the presidential election has focused on trying to interpret the meaning behind spoiled votes, and what they suggest about the gap between parts of the electorate and our political class.
Catherine Connolly’s victory, however, points to an overlooked gap – the one between voters and much of the prevailing media consensus. More than 900,000 people – the largest number ever to support a presidential candidate – voted for her despite weeks of coverage often portraying her views on neutrality, Nato, Palestine, and prisoner rehabilitation as naive, risky or dangerous.
Taken together, these results suggest a public that feels misread from the political and media spheres. Unless those gaps are honestly examined as a whole, politicians and journalists may risk continuing to speak to each other in circles. – Yours, etc,
LORCAN MYLES,
Drogheda,
Co Louth.
Sir, – I was struck by the professionalism, kindness and genuine warmth shown by party leaders, Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly on Saturday evening at the celebrations in Dublin Castle.
Political parties, please note – would that it could continue! – Yours, etc,
ROSALIE JENKINSON,
Slane,
Co Meath.
Sir, – I find it strange that someone would celebrate spoiling their vote (Letters, October 28th).
How can one be proud of an action that is in direct contravention of how adults are supposed to behave as responsible human beings?
Better to stay away from the restaurant if you don’t like what’s on the menu. – Yours, etc,
TOM McELLIGOTT,
Listowel,
Co Kerry.
Psychotherapy qualifications
Sir, – Ireland risks becoming “the only EU country with substandard psychotherapy qualifications enshrined by legislation”, as Tom Warnecke, general secretary of the European Association for Psychotherapy, set out clearly in his recent letter (October 22nd). This concern is shared by psychotherapists, accrediting bodies and training institutions across the country.
The proposed Coru standards omit the requirement for trainees to undertake personal therapy – a cornerstone of psychotherapeutic training across Europe. It is no exaggeration to say that without it, psychotherapy in Ireland will cease to exist. A therapist cannot engage in a genuinely therapeutic relationship if they have never had therapy themselves.
Personal therapy allows us to understand our own blind spots, triggers and defences. Without that self-knowledge, even well-intentioned therapists risk causing real harm. Over the years I have worked with people who have endured unimaginable trauma and abuse. Without doing my own therapeutic work first, I could at best have been of little help – and at worst, easily have added to their suffering.
Traumatised and vulnerable people need to meet someone who has done the inner work to be as grounded and self-aware as possible – not someone who has never faced their own pain and may be, unknowingly, a Pandora’s box of old wounds and defences. Imagine a survivor of childhood sexual abuse seeking help and finding themselves with a therapist who has never confronted their own history? The risk of retraumatisation in such an encounter is immense.
Coru must fundamentally reassess its position, otherwise safe psychotherapy in Ireland will be fatally compromised. – Yours, etc,
JACKY GRAINGER,
MSc Psychotherapy
Chair of IAHIP, board director ICP
Dublin 12.
Healthy minds and communities
Sir, – Sabina Brennan’s article powerfully highlights how social isolation harms our mental, physical and brain health (“Why feeling lonely has serious implications for your brain health”, Opinion, October 27th). But if we are serious about tackling loneliness, we must also rethink the environments that shape how we connect with one another.
Active travel – walking, cycling and using public transport – doesn’t just improve physical and mental health; it strengthens social bonds.
Every shared smile on a bus or chat with a fellow cyclist helps combat the isolation that grows when we spend our days sealed inside cars. Communities built around active travel consistently enjoy better health outcomes and stronger connections.
Dr Brennan is right: “Ireland’s challenge is to treat social connection as essential infrastructure, not a luxury.”
To meet that challenge, we must treat our active travel infrastructure – safe footpaths, cycleways, and reliable public transport – as equally essential.
Investing in these networks isn’t just good for the environment; it’s vital for the health of our minds, bodies and communities. – Yours, etc,
Dr CAOIMHE CLARKE,
Irish Doctors for the Environment,
Dublin 7.
Government’s spelling woes
Sir, – Mary Lee is correct in expressing her dismay at the spelling of “infastructure” in the recently unveiled department sign (Letters, October 28th). I have recently read two letters from Government departments where reference was made to the “principle officer”. Those who demand standards of the public should ensure their written communications are precise in content and spelling. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL GLEESON,
Killarney,
Co Kerry.
Value of transition year
Sir, – I wholeheartedly agree with Brian Mooney (“We are considering encouraging our son to skip transition year”, Ask Brian, Education, October 28th). “Gaining valuable life skills” is what transition year is all about. Being in a classroom setting for six years straight will only get you so far in life. Being able to navigate the world we live in is a monumental task.
Getting an inkling of that task, while still in the cocoon of the school, the student has the opportunity to ask questions and be afforded guidance by professionals whose aim is to help the student make life choices.
One point missed in the piece, however, was the age factor. As a mother of three boys, each aged 16 going through transition year, I feel boys in particular, but not exclusively, benefit from this year out. They need time to grow and mature; time to make a decision about what subjects to take for the Leaving Cert and that will benefit them in the future.
Going out into the big bad world is hard enough without having some idea of how to steer their way through it. – Yours, etc,
VICTORIA MADIGAN,
Terenure,
Dublin 6.
‘Worst parade ever’
Sir, – As – finisher of Sunday’s Dublin Marathon I feel compelled to thank the thousands of supporters who lined the route and carried us home on a wave of cheers.
The posters and slogans brought a smile to many a face and took our minds off the suffering! They included: “You are running better than the Government”; “Worst parade ever”; “Toenails are over-rated”; “Go on, Go on, Go on, Go on ...”; “If you are going to take an ‘Unnecessary Journey’ you’d better finish it!”
And finish it we did. Thanks to all. – Yours, etc,
JOHN LOMBARD,
Goatstown,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – The Dublin Marathon continues to be a brilliant, emotional event that appears to be “run” seamlessly. A real credit to our city. It was disappointing, however, that it wasn’t aired by our national broadcaster to be enjoyed by those unable to support from the sidelines. Airing this type of event, alongside others like Electric Picnic, might encourage more people to pay their TV licence. – Yours, etc,
LISA DALY,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.
