Sir, – I was interested to read Stephen O'Byrnes's piece "'Peaceful protest' over Irish Water is truly a charade" (Opinion & Analysis, November 19th). Given his former senior role in the now defunct Progressive Democrats, I particularly welcome his call "that the genesis of this ongoing campaign of unlawful behaviour is spelled out by Government, supported by all our politicians".
Perhaps you would allow similar space and prominence to be given to an exploration of how certain policies, promoted by the PDs and implemented by governments of which that party was a member, contributed to the economic collapse of this country, with catastrophic results for so many, particularly the poor, excluded and marginalised? Might we start with the lack of regulation of the financial services sector, and its implementation of income tax cuts at a time of unprecedented economic growth, and its impact on revenue when the housing and property market collapsed? The list is long; however, I hope the above two items might be a useful start. – Yours, etc,
NESSAN VAUGHAN,
Baldoyle, Dublin 13.
Sir, – What a relief to read such a well-structured article from Stephen O’Byrnes. I agree wholeheartedly and it makes such a change from all the negative media comment we have been subjected to. The complete Irish Water situation has been handled so very badly and it is difficult to believe that the politicians in Government can ever recover from this debacle. Unfortunately, anarchy is rearing its head and I hope the authorities are ready. – Yours, etc,
MARGARET BARRY,
Dublin 9.
Sir, – I wish to protest about the protests. Please can we have some new news! – Yours, etc,
RICHARD FOX,
Kilcoole, Co Wicklow.
Sir, – Stephen O'Byrnes writes, "It is also time that some broadcasters moved beyond their ping-pong presentation of these events, and stopped according a moral and political equivalence to both sides in this national confrontation". Is he suggesting that The Irish Times should be condemned for publishing his article without warning readers that he is a neo-liberal long associated with the redundant Progressive Democrats? – Yours, etc,
MARTIN WALSH,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – Do you have to afford lobbyists such as Stephen O’ Byrne the opportunity to serve up such drivel in your opinion columns? – Yours, etc,
FERGAL McCANN,
Inchicore, Dublin 8.
Sir, –The opinion piece condemning the “anarchy” of the water protesters by Stephen O’Byrnes describes him as a communications and political consultant. Many people may not be aware that the same Mr O’Byrne and his colleagues in the late and unlamented Progressive Democrats bear a huge responsibility for the economic policies that led to the bankruptcy of this State. The rejection by the people of further impositions to pay for the result of such policies is entirely predictable and justified, while the actions of a few are not. – Yours, etc,
DON MULLINS,
Carlow.
Sir, – I would urge the protesters to heed one of their own slogans, “Enough is enough”. You have made your point; now let it rest, please. – Yours, etc,
JOE HARVEY,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.
A chara, – In his article on political stability and governability in Ireland (“Losing its grip: why the Irish political system can no longer guarantee stability”, Opinion & Analysis, November 11th), Fintan O’Toole suggests that mass emigration was the price paid for the prioritisation of political stability in post-independence Ireland.
I would argue that political stability was a consequence rather than a cause of mass emigration (which was long-established before the achievement of independence in 1922).
In 1992 the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) published a report by the Norwegian social scientist, Lars Mjøset, which sought to explain why Ireland’s level of economic development lagged behind that achieved by other small west European economies (Denmark, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland and Finland). Mjoset’s main conclusion was that the latter countries, unlike Ireland, had developed strong export-oriented industrial sectors that were primarily owned by indigenous firms and around which were built robust national systems of innovation which drove processes of continuous renewal and expansion.
Ireland, Mjøset argued, did not possess a comparable national system of innovation, and a key reason for this was the impact of continued mass emigration since the mid-19th century. The selective nature of emigration meant those moving abroad were, for the most part, young, energetic, ambitious, and innovative. In essence, those with get-up-and-go got up and went. This was the classic safety valve that systematically removed those who would otherwise have been sources of social disruption and change.
As a result, Ireland was left in the unchallenged control of highly conservative, agrarian-based, social and economic elements profoundly inimical to change. Rather than challenge these entrenched interests, and faced with very limited employment prospects, potential dissidents who might otherwise have sparked innovation and change simply emigrated. One consequence was the phenomenon of political stagnation (as much as stability) described by Mr O’Toole.
It remains to be seen to what extent the current wave of social unrest, in conjunction with the implosion of the Catholic Church, the marginalisation of agriculture and widespread alienation from the established political parties signals a secular transition to a new era of political instability. – Is mise,
Dr PROINNSIAS
BREATHNACH,
Department of Geography,
Maynooth University.