Letting the players decide
Sir, – Why is the Camogie Association, a body that is supposed to promote women’s sport, dictating what it considers to be the only acceptable form of clothing on the pitch despite opposition from the players (“Dublin and Kilkenny camogie players may be sanctioned for wearing shorts”, Sport, May 3rd)?
When will we ever get over the desire to police and dictate what women wear?
Sporting bodies need to focus on encouraging players to take up and remain in sports, not spend their time monitoring what those players are wearing. – Yours, etc,
SHEILA O’FLANAGAN,
Clontarf.
Dublin.
Sir, – The Kilkenny and Dublin camogie teams are entirely correct in demanding to wear shorts like their male peers.
As a father with a six-year-old daughter who plays GAA, I am aware of the precipitous drop in engagement as girls grow up. The idea of not letting them wear the more comfortable option is shocking.
Any debate about comfort is proven when one looks at any Parkrun event – how many of the women participating choose to wear skorts? The answer is none. It is shorts as far as the eye can see. The Camogie Association needs to cop on. – Yours, etc,
CHRIS CUMMINS,
Dublin 18.
‘Teacher detentions’
A chara, – At this time of year, secondary schoolteachers are trawling diaries for evidence to demonstrate fulfilment of their mandatory Croke Park hours. This is essentially unpaid work that was introduced in 2010 during emergency austerity measures: increased productivity for no increase of pay. These hours are colloquially known as “teacher detentions”. Unions have suggested this requirement be retracted.
A good proportion of the hours are consumed by timetabled parent/ teacher meetings and formal school planning, but in most schools, many further hours are mandated to teachers for additional department meetings or professional development.
In every school in Ireland, however, a significant number of teachers willingly dedicate considerable unpaid time to running extracurricular activities. For example, the average school rugby manager delivers at least 80 hours of volunteer service per year. How many doctors, architects, mechanics or factory workers similarly donate hundreds of hours work to their clients or employer?
Some teachers are involved in more than one extracurricular activity. In effect, most teachers double or triple the Croke Park hours required of them and yet these hours cannot be counted.
Why can’t the Department of Education allow Croke Park hours be counted towards some of the delivery of extracurricular activities?
Thousands of pupils benefit from this generous volunteerism. Thousands more might benefit if teachers were permitted to record Croke Park hours for this time. There is an indisputable link between extracurricular participation and pupil wellbeing and, indeed, academic achievement.
The Department of Education should be encouraging wellbeing through facilitating extracurricular activities through intelligent use of the resources it already has.
Instead, the Department of Education will be threatening mainstream subjects in 2027 to allow the introduction of 60 hours of mandatory “wellbeing classes” (SPHE) for Leaving Certificate students. This will mean the reduction of at least an hour week from mainstream academic subjects such as maths and delivered by a teacher untrained in “wellbeing”, whatever that is.
How are either of the above policies beneficial to the wellbeing of Irish students or the retention and motivation of teachers? – Is mise,
MATTHEW HARRISON,
Salthill,
Galway.
Faith-based climate action
Sir, – I am writing in response to the editorial on Pope Francis‘s contribution to climate action (“The Irish Times view on Pope Francis and the environment: a legacy worth building on”, Editorial, May 4th). It is good to see this aspect of his papacy finally receiving the attention it rightfully deserves.
However, much more has happened within the Catholic community and wider faith environment movement due to Pope Francis than this editorial would suggest.
I lead the Laudato Sì Movement, the largest faith-based environmental network that came about after Laudato Sì. This global lay movement, which has its strongest following in the Global South but also has a strong presence in Ireland, is now a force for ecological action. It represents 900 affiliated church groups, it has more than 20,000 trained leaders who lead efforts in parishes and communities. Among the achievements are a global sustainability platform – the Laudato Sì Action Platform – which provides pathways for institutional sustainability, biodiversity renewal and carbon neutrality.
More than 5,000 Catholic institutions are enrolled and are working on Laudato Sì plans. Some, like the Jesuits, are global networks.
Pope Francis also institutionalised “Season of Creation” in the Catholic calendar – a month where we join with all Christians to pray and act for creation. This is now widely celebrated. The pope’s efforts have supercharged multi-faith efforts to green other faiths, all of which teach sustainability. Muslims took inspiration from Laudato Sì and produced their own new teaching “Al Mizan”.
Pope Francis supported this work, led by laity, and met us regularly. He did not need to be “authoritarian”. He listened and helped nurture and amplify the efforts. We can only hope and pray that the next pope will continue this support and prioritise these efforts. Regardless, the ecological movement in faith communities is here to stay. It feels unstoppable. – Yours, etc,
LORNA GOLD,
Executive director,
Laudato Sì Movement,
Maynooth,
Co Kildare.
SUVs and emissions
Sir, – The recent series of letters on the the popularity of SUVs in your newspaper raises some vital issues concerning the wisdom of allowing these vehicles on our roads, from a safety and environmental perspective.
It is worth considering that, as of 2023, there were more than 360 million SUVs on roads worldwide, according to the International Energy Agency. In 2023 these vehicles were responsible for approximately one billion tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. If these vehicles did not exist and the journeys taken were in average-sized family cars this would have reduced total global emissions by approximately 400 million tonnes. That saving equates to more than the total annual emissions of the UK.
That reduction alone could come close to making the difference between a future of climate chaos and one where our children still have seasons, coastlines and breathable air. – Yours, etc,
FINNBARR McELLIGOTT,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.
Kneecap’s rights and wrongs
Sir, – Vittorio Bufacchi says Kneecap should be commended rather than condemned (Opinion, May 4th).
In truth, perhaps both fits the bill. For their support of the plight of the Palestinian people and what is going on in Gaza, they should be proud. However, their reported slogans “the only good Tory is a dead Tory” or “kill your MP” is disgraceful and has no place in any art form.
It is somehow accepted that artists have a free pass to venture into the political arena to express opinions, but like politicians they should also be held to account. Words or actions that terrorise or silence others have no place in democracy’s freedom of expression. – Yours, etc,
AIDAN RODDY,
Cabinteely,
Dublin 18.
Missed opportunity
Sir, – The recent controversy over the appointment of the head of the Housing Activation Office has been deeply disappointing. The proposed candidate, Brendan McDonagh, as the former head of Nama is uniquely qualified for the role, with the strategic vision and experience needed to tackle Ireland’s housing crisis comprehensively.
Unfortunately, Opposition parties seized on the salary issue rather than engaging with the urgent need for expertise. Fine Gael, sensing public outcry, withdrew support – a short-sighted move.
Solving the housing crisis isn’t simply about building more homes; it requires a leader who understands the interconnected challenges of planning, infrastructure, utilities, and delivery.
This role demands someone capable of advising the Government not only on the necessary legislation but also on where critical infrastructure investment is needed – from utilities and transport to schools and services. The Minister’s establishment of this position acknowledged precisely this complexity.
What we need is someone who can cut through delays, co-ordinate across departments, and ensure that sites are truly ready for development. The former Nama chief had the drive and insight to do this. Now we’ve lost that opportunity and the crisis drags on. – Yours, etc,
PETER MALBASHA,
Booterstown,
Co Dublin.
A little thought for others
Sir, – I was delighted to read Margaret E Ward’s article, “Bad Manners in the workplace are bad for the bottom line” (Work, May 2nd). Ms Ward cites Christine Porath’s famous TEDx talk, which answers the question “What do people want from their leaders?” Having taken data from more than 20,000 employees around the world, Ms Porath found the “answer was simple, respect”.
Why don’t we make a special effort to permeate respect into our everyday lives? It is no secret that we see rubbish, including dog dirt, discarded or ignored in public areas, and older people mowed down in crowded areas when trying to walk on narrow pathways or busy promenades. These are socially unacceptable actions and must be seen as such.
While the majority are respectful of their environment, much more can be done to make our long-awaited summer days pleasant for all. Good manners will put more smiles on faces inside and outside the workplace. “A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference” (AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh). – Yours, etc,
BRENDA MORGAN,
Howth,
Co Dublin.
‘Out of step’ with US
Sir, – Jim Risch, chairman of the United States senate foreign relations committee, has stated that Ireland’s recognition of Palestinian statehood is a “heartbreaking mistake with zero recognition of what Hamas did in October... very much out of step with the United States” (“Ireland ‘out of step’ with United States on Israel, US ambassador nominee is told”, Politics, May 2nd).
Ireland has recognised the State of Palestine in the context of the two-state solution. The two-state solution recognises the rights of Israel and Palestine to co-exist.
It was first adopted by the United Nations in 1947 and confirmed further by the United Nations in subsequent years. Ireland’s recognition of Palestine is of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, not Hamas in Gaza.
The Irish Government has stated: “The decision of Ireland is about keeping hope alive. It is about believing that a two-state solution is the only way for Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace and security.”
Mr Risch should consider these points. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN CALLANAN,
Limerick.
Arrival of swifts
Sir, – While the call of the cuckoo lifts the hearts of those lucky enough to hear it at this time of year, equally joyful is the sight of swifts skimming through the air as they arrive for their short summer visit. Yesterday evening I spotted three in my area where they nest each year. Welcome back you wonderful birds! – Yours, etc,
KATHY QUIRKE,
Dún Laoghaire.
Irish passport’s centenary
Sir, – I greatly enjoyed Mark Hennessy’s coverage of the Irish passport’s centenary (“The Irish passport at 100: Not just a travel document but a declaration of hope”, Common Ground, May 5th).
I have always loved mine – not just for its handsome green cover (latterly burgundy), but for the number of times it has smoothed my way through US immigration, where officials with Irish surnames have often welcomed me like a long-lost cousin. “Welcome home,” one said in New York. I didn’t correct him.
I’m now in Cyprus, where I breezed through passport control with my EU-friendly Irish document, unlike some unfortunate fellow travellers who were waved into a longer, slower lane.
My favourite passport anecdote happened in Newark, New Jersey. My wife never changed her name after we married, so our passports display different surnames. As we approached immigration, the officer glanced at the mismatch and asked drily: “Relationship?”
“Strained at times,” I replied.
He didn’t laugh. In fact, the look he gave me was so severe I instantly became the most obedient man in New Jersey. Since then, every time I show my passport, it’s “yes sir, no sir” all the way. – Yours, etc,
ENDA CULLEN,
Armagh.
More snooker halls
Sir, – As a snooker fan, World Snooker Championships fortnight is always compelling viewing. I’m reminded of my teenage years playing with my friends in the snooker hall that used to be on Bray seafront, imagining we were Steve Davis, Jimmy White, and Alex Higgins.
Later in life, when I settled in Drumcondra, there was a snooker hall there too, but now it is also gone. We need more snooker halls if we are going to inspire and nurture a new generation of players. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN QUIGLEY,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 9.
Snail mail
Sir, – On Friday, May 2nd in Ferrybank, Waterford I received a letter posted from Cork Road, Waterford on Thursday, April 24th. By my reckoning, that’s a road speed of 22m per hour! Actual snail mail would have been quicker. – Yours, etc,
DONAL MOORE,
Ferrybank,
Waterford.
