Madam, – The Constitution states that all persons on the electoral register are entitled to vote in the general election by means of a secret ballot. However, this isn’t the case for people who are blind or vision-impaired, as we have to rely on a trusted friend or family member to cast our ballot for us.
The blatant denial of the right to vote for a section of our society is totally unacceptable. In the UK things are different. Blind and vision-impaired people can cast their ballot fairly and in secret by being provided with a tactile voting device where a flap alongside the particular candidate’s name can be lifted up and marked.
Meanwhile, cuts to disability funding in the recent Budget mean people with a disability allowance will face a reduction in income of €847.60 for the coming year. Inclusion Ireland has forcefully made the argument that people with disabilities have “been hit as an easy target”.
The passive approach adopted by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) to these issues is perplexing. Why aren’t we mobilising like the pensioners in 2008 and forcing the Government back? The inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in society requires a fair electoral process and well-resourced disability services. We are not looking for pity or sympathy; we are simply demanding our statutory rights as equal citizens of this country. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – As readers know, Dr James Reilly is poised to take up the heath brief in the next government. Our present obsession with the banking crisis, the economic crisis and the lack of accountability for political and corporate wrong-doing, has arguably obscured any formal debate of Fine Gael’s plan for our health service; as out lined in “FairCare” – the Fine Gael blueprint for health sector reform.
Perhaps the most striking element of this plan is the introduction of “mandatory health insurance” for all citizens, in keeping with the established Dutch model. Here individuals pay half the cost and employers and the state pay the remainder of the fee for private health insurance.
In a recent article in the Irish Medical Times Dr Reilly announced that he and Fine Gael are in “negotiations with a foreign-based insurance company with an interest in the Irish market”.
Interestingly the name of this company has not been disclosed by Fine Gael.
Is it possible that the very big cake of our health budget is being distributed by Fine Gael, even before it has taken office? Furthermore, is it not fair to ask if the recent 41 per cent hike in VHI premiums and similar hikes by the other insurance companies are related to the fact that within a matter of months the purchase of these health insurance policies will be compulsory for all citizens under the terms of the “FairCare” plan? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll (February 3rd) shows “undecided voters” at 22 per cent. I believe a large proportion of these are actually confused. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I am not a Fianna Fáil supporter but I don’t believe these polls. The Soldiers of Destiny may drop a few seats, but there will be no wipe-out. The fact remains that, outside of the cities, most people will still vote Fianna Fáil. Add to this the fact that everybody likes Micheál Martin, while Enda doesn’t have that natural charm.
I, unhappily, predict that Fianna Fail will still be in government in March. You heard it here first. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – What planet do sitting politicians inhabit? I have just received a letter, on Dáil-headed notepaper, delivered at taxpayers’ expense, from my local TD, Seán Barrett, looking for my support in the forthcoming election. If Mr Barrett or any of his fellow TDs wishes to communicate with me or their other constituents, I strongly suggest they do so at their own expense and cease the moral abuse of the privileges granted to them by virtue of their office. If ever I needed evidence of the need for political reform and fewer TDs, it was provided in spades today, courtesy of my local TD, the taxpayer and An Post. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – As I neared my home this evening I noticed a group of Fianna Fáil canvassers at the top of my road. I parked my car in front of my driveway and using the gates barricaded myself in. I was not sure I could remain civil to ordinary decent people partaking in a completely legal way in our democratic process.
Shame on me. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Obviously John O’Brien hasn’t fully thought through his suggestion re “No election leaflets please”, (February 2nd). The printing of these leaflets could mean that a few more printers are kept in employment, a major plank in most parties’ manifestos. The recycling of same also provides employment. This also applies to so-called “junk mail”.
People’s “No junk mail” notices are putting people out of work. Think about it! – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The new Fianna Fáil slogan: “Real Plan. Better Future.” sounds like the uttering of a verbally-challenged alien.
Perhaps a more down-to-earth version would be: “Real Plan.Better Future without Fianna Fáil”! – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Sinn Féin has stated that were it to get into government it would tell the EU/IMF to sling their hook, burn the bondholders and give the banks no more money. When all this happens, when I put my card in the bank ATM, will any money come out? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Fianna Fáil is talking about creating 1,000 jobs a week over the next five years. It has experience of doing this, having created 1,000 jobs a week for the past three years. Unfortunately the jobs created have been in the US, Canada, Australia and England. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – In 1916, the Irish people took arms and held various positions in Dublin. They fought for what was rightfully theirs. They fought for the independence of their country. Men and women fought side by side for their freedom from an overseas government. That action proved to the world that Ireland has the capability of standing on its own feet. So say the history books.
A hundred years later, a taoiseach steps down and “earns” a nice pension for himself, leaving the Irish people and nation in ruin, anger and despair. What happened to the “mighty rebellious Irish”? Why do we just sit around and hope that someone else will fix everything? I can tell you something, it’s not going to be the government. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – To hear Fine Gael say it will not raise taxes if elected is astounding. Surely it was that same electoral bribe that destroyed the State’s financial basis? Let’s hope the other parties adopt a more responsible and ethical approach, or we are all doomed. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Micheál Martin suggests that Sinn Féin’s policies would “wreck” the economy.
Er, shouldn’t someone tell Mr. Martin about the economy? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – By its own admission and as a result of the number of candidates it is putting forward, Fianna Fáil cannot gain power on its own after the forthcoming election. Fine Gael and Labour have clearly laid out their preferred options for a new government and Fianna Fáil is now using the differences between them as the main plank of its election campaign.
It is time that Micheál Martin was honest with the electorate and outlined his preferred option for a partner in government after the election, to allow us also analyse the similarities and differences they have. – Yours, etc,