Sir – As a republican former prisoner who has spent the past 35 years involved in politics, community, language and cultural activism, I find it shocking that the contrived ire of the media, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael should be directed on one (female) ex-prisoner legitimately given a job by Catherine Connolly some years ago.
More than 40 members of the First and Second Dáil had prison records. Almost 30 Oireachtas members in the years since 1923 spent time in prison, and it’s worth remembering that one of these, Liam Kelly, the leader of Saor Uladh (engaged at the time in a military campaign in the North), had the distinction of being elected as an abstentionist Stormont MP in 1953 and as a Seanadóir in 1954.
His election to the Seanad on the Labour panel came with orchestrated Fine Gael support in an effort by John A Costello to keep Fianna Fáil out of power.
Some TDs and Seanadóírí happily play the family history card at election time.
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Scrape the surface of councils across the country and many councillors will have parents or grandparents who spent time in prison.
The same holds true both North and South. It is part of what we are. Our universities, school boards, sports bodies, cultural groups, and State boards have all benefitted from the input of ex-prisoners.
Former prisoners contribute to society – there is nothing remarkable about that. It would, indeed, be more remarkable if they did not contribute, and feigned shock from Taoiseach Mícheál Martin or Tánaiste Simon Harris fools no one. – Yours, etc,
EOGHAN MacCORMAIC,
Cill Chríost,
Gaillimh.
Sir, – There is a level of righteous indignation in the observations made by Taoiseach Micheál Martin arising from the Ursula Ní Shionnain controversy.
Did not the founding father of his own political movement have a background in violent uprising based in the same or similar set of values and ambitions as those of which he now complains?
Mr de Valera went on, having firstly renounced his original values, by taking an oath of faithfulness to the crown required by Article 17 of the 1922 (Free State) constitution, to later strictly adhere to democratic principles of government when he became a member of Dáil Éireann and taoiseach.
Furthermore, our esteemed former president, Mary McAleese (herself a Fianna Fáil nominee for election as president), while holding office crossed boundaries and borders by issuing invitations (I expect with government approval) to former members of the violent and sectarian Ulster Volunteer Force as a measure towards promoting what became the hugely successful Good Friday agreement.
Invitations by Catherine Connolly to Ms Ní Shionnain to attend Leinster House may not have been accompanied by Garda vetting and, while I cannot attest to the criteria for such vetting nowadays, I do know from family experience from the early years of the Emergency that Garda objections to such matters were based on policy rather than empirical assessment.
My point is, people change as a result of either their own insights or through guidance or persuasion by others.
Our current Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, does little service to the worthy candidate his party is now promoting as a presidential candidate in what may be said to be lowly political upmanship and point scoring without basing his remarks on more substantiating evidence. – Yours, etc,
AUSTIN Ó BRIAIN,
An Daingean,
Co Cairrái.
Sir, – The only elephant in the room in the controversy over employment in Leinster House is that the security vetting process was still not completed at the end of six months.
I rest my case. – Yours, etc,
JOHN KIRBY,
Taylor’s Hill,
Galway.
Sir, – Following the first televised presidential debate it was interesting to see the reaction of some observers to Catherine Connolly’s reference to the “military-industrial complex”.
For some, it seemed that she herself had coined the phrase and that her newly minted term was somewhere above our heads and lost on the average lay person.
The truth is that this phrase has been around for decades. It can be found in the extremely popular US history section of the current Leaving Certificate syllabus which was first examined in 2006.
Alongside other old chestnuts like McCarthyism, the anti-war movement, Star Wars and the American Dream, it has not gone unexamined. It featured among the Leaving Certificate US history questions in both 2013 and 2023.
Tens of thousands of younger voters will have become familiar with the concept of the US military-industrial complex over the last 20 years. – Yours, etc,
PÁDRAIC HARVEY,
An Cheathrú Rua,
Co na Gaillimhe.
Sir – Brian O’Connor is quite correct that “there is no constitutional stipulation that the president of Ireland must have any level of command of the Irish language” (Letters, September 29th).
However, given that the constitution recognises Irish as, with English, one of the two official languages of the State and also as the national language, it is not unreasonable to expect that candidates seeking to become the first citizen of the State would be fluent in both Irish and English. In keeping with its status as the national language, the Constitution also confirms that where there is any conflict in interpretation the Irish language text takes precedence over the English version. – Yours, etc,
JOHN GLENNON,
Hollywood,
Co Wicklow.
Tax and politicians
Sir, – Learning that “Budget 2026: No changes to personal income tax planned” (October 2nd), I was at first tempted to think that our politicians are collectively mad. We appear to have billions of euro to spend and the modest ¤1.5 billion earmarked for tax reductions (already an ominous definition of Government “spending”) is largely to go to the hospitality sector. A worker earning less than the average wage will continue to pay nearly half of his marginal income to the State.
Unfortunately, it is not our politicians who are mad: it is we, ourselves. We keep electing them. It is way past time to stop doing that. – Yours, etc,
WILLIAM HUNT,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – Ahead of the upcoming budget there is much speculation that the VAT rate will be reduced to 9 per cent for the hospitality sector. Ministers argue this will make these businesses more viable.
VAT is a consumer tax and therefore the hospitality sector is (or should be) obliged to pass on any change in the VAT rate to its customers. And a Government that consciously allows or condones otherwise jeopardises and undermines the necessary belief of the public that the tax system is fair and is applied evenly.
The Ministers responsible would be far better minded to introduce policies and initiatives that consistently work to reduce operating costs for businesses, thereby making the businesses more viable and perhaps even allowing space for them to pass on price reductions to hard-pressed consumers. We can only live in hope. – Yours, etc,
FINTAN REDDY,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15.
Budget and health aid
Sir, – As Budget 2026 approaches, Ireland has an opportunity to show leadership and deliver on its commitment to allocate 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income(GNP) to Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Ireland has long played a proud role in upholding global health and human rights. But with US president Donald Trump’s devastating cuts to aid leaving millions around the world without vital care, it is essential Ireland not only stays on track towards the 0.7 per cent target but also commits 0.1 per cent of its ODA specifically to health. In the wake of the cuts, essential HIV, Aids, and health programmes are currently under threat and are having a major impact.
This is not just about figures on a page, but about saving lives. By dedicating 0.1 per cent of ODA to global health, Ireland can ensure that children receive vaccines, communities access care, and sexual and reproductive health rights are protected.
Health is a human right, and Budget 2026 offers Ireland an opportunity to show leadership when it is most needed.
Activists, civil society groups and charities all over Ireland have gathered to speak out on this in the Restore Humanity Campaign. Budget 2026 is our opportunity to step up. – Yours, etc,
Dr ROBBIE LAWLOR,
Postdoctoral Researcher,
University of Galway,
Dr NADINE FERRIS FRANCE,
Executive Director,
Irish Global Health Network,
Dublin 2.
Death of Manchán Magan
Sir, – I was so sad this morning to hear of the death of Manchán Magan, aged 55 years, from prostate cancer. He was an inspiration to us all with his love of the Irish language, nature and environment. He had so much still to offer and will be sadly missed. May he rest in peace.
My husband died six months ago of the same cancer. Since then I have been urging young men to go to their GPs and get their PSA checked. It’s just a blood test.
It is sometimes called “a silent cancer” but if caught early the prognosis is very good. If only in memory of Manchán, please get checked. – Yours, etc,
EILEEN BANNAN,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
Sir, – I was very sorry to hear Manchán Magan had passed away. He was a wonderfully grounded author, communicator and champion of our native culture and language. He would have made a fine Uachtarán one day. – Yours, etc,
JAMES McCARTHY,
Glenageary,
Dublin.
Interception of Gaza flotilla
Sir, – Israel’s armed interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla has understandably drawn international condemnation and it is to be welcomed that the Government here has made clear that it expects the detained Irish citizens to be treated “in line with international law” (“New flotilla heads towards Gaza despite Israeli interception of 40 vessels”, October 3rd).
These admirable activists were bringing much-needed solidarity, hope and humanitarian aid to Gaza.
It is worth remembering that the Sumud Flotilla is only the latest manifestation in an enormous global mobilisation demanding an immediate end to the inhuman slaughter in Gaza.
The extraordinary citizens of many countries, including Ireland, have marched and demonstrated in their millions over the past two years.
Arguably, we are witnessing the largest transnational anti-war campaign so far this century.
This social movement reflects a pervasive feeling through all levels of society that this catastrophe cannot be allowed to go on and that Palestinians are entitled to justice and self-determination. It also reflects a growing bewilderment that Israel continues to act with impunity, as we’ve witnessed again with its treatment of the Sumud Flotilla.
The so-called “international community” has yet to impose meaningful sanctions against Israel.
Indeed, Tánaiste Simon Harris, speaking in the Dáil on September 30th, again made clear his frustration with the EU commission, which couldn’t even bring itself to convey its concerns to Israel in advance of the interception. If the EU won’t speak up collectively and strongly for its own citizens, what hope for Palestinians? – Yours, etc,
FINTAN LANE,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
Customer service
Sir, – I have two close friends, and between us we have over 150 years working experience in the commercial world and the three of us get really angry when we hear CEOs and other senior executives claiming “our aim is always to provide the very best of service to our customers”.
We know this is not true. They make these statements because they feel they have to, as a form of self-justification. If they really meant what they say they would simply employ more staff and thus actually provide the required level of service. –Yours, etc,
ANTHONY HANRAHAN,
Renvyle,
Co Galway.
Beautiful Brussels
Sir, – I have just returned from an overnight in Brussels. Every taxi I took was spotlessly clean and readily available. Every public toilet I used was spotlessly clean, with soap and hand towels beside each spotlessly clean sink.
I arrived in Dublin Airport. The taxi, for which I queued for half an hour at midnight, had a shabby interior and seats clearly stained.
A bus to Heuston Station from the Quays today would not accept my bank card nor my only €10 note.
The driver stared blankly at me when I asked what my options were, and grudgingly told me I would have to go and find a shop to get the exact change before I could board the bus.
In desperation, I had to use the toilet on the train to Cork. I am writing this letter from the train, still trying to get over the strong smell of urine, sticky and filthy floor and unflushed toilet bowl that awaited me.
As for a hand towel – non-existent.
As a tourist in Brussels I was in awe, and am only dying to go back. If I was a tourist in Dublin, I would be disgusted. Surely we can do better? – Yours, etc,
RACHEL RICE,
Midleton,
Co Cork.
Sir, – I’ve visited Ireland six times this year, with two more trips ahead. I fully agree that it is not a kip, far from it.
Adding my own tuppence in support, I’ve also noticed a happy inverse relationship with the price of a pint and the craic the further you travel away from Dublin.
Indeed, Dingle, where I’ve been three times this year, has the best craic and the cheapest (and best) pint. – Yours, etc.
GARY HUGHES,
Cheshire,
England.
