Sir, - President Catherine Connolly’s speech last Sunday, on International Women’s Day, was interesting in that it once again showed her selective outrage (“President’s condemnation of Iran war ‘violations’ puts pressure on Taoiseach before US trip,” Politics, March 9th). Furthermore, it seems to point to a pattern of such behaviour. She criticised the United States and Israel but failed to criticise Iran and the decades-long oppression of the Iranian people, especially women. Similarly, last year she declared that “Hamas are part of the fabric of the Palestinian People” and that all peoples have the right to self-determination.
It is true that all peoples have that right, yet this right has been denied to the Iranian people for nearly five decades as they have had to live under a despotic, misogynistic regime.
So, within a short few months we now have two examples of President Connolly seeming to give a pass to two groups who treat their people with contempt and brutality. It does her no credit. - Yours, etc,
TREVOR TROY,
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Baile Átha Buí,
Contae na Mí.
Sir, - Following a diplomatic first few months, President Connolly seems to have been unable to resist sticking her toes into the choppy waters of international relations. Whatever about good intentions at a time when international law is increasingly dead in the water, her timing does the Taoiseach no favours as he heads into the lion’s den of the Oval Office shortly.
It may pain many people and politicians, but there is little choice for Ireland but to humour US president Donald Trump. Failure to show up on Saint Patrick’s Day would likely put Ireland in the cross hairs of a trigger-happy administration. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL FLYNN,
Bayside,
Dublin 13.
Sir, - Dave Slater (“President Connolly and precedent,” Letters, March 11) fails to acknowledge what was a great achievement by President Connolly within months of her election. Government has reacted to her comments about the attacks on Iran by stating it has sole responsibility for foreign policy. Now, if she could only encourage the same Government to step up and take responsibility for the housing crisis and other domestic problems that are causing such heartache for people. To hell with concerns about precedent, I say. Let it rip, President Connolly. – Yours, etc,
JIM O’SULLIVAN,
Rathedmond,
Sligo.
Sir, - Your coverage of the Government’s response to President Connolly’s statement on Sunday misses one key point: her remarks simply reflect the President’s constitutional duty to uphold Bunreacht na hÉireann and represent the Irish people (“Power to set foreign policy does not lie with President Connolly, says Government,” March 9th). It is heartening to see at least one elected office-holder clearly invoking these constitutional principles.
Following the recent US-Israel attacks on Iran and subsequently on Lebanon, with significant civilian casualties, the response of the Irish Government has been strikingly muted. There has been no clear condemnation and Ireland continues to facilitate US military use of Shannon Airport.
Recent ministerial statements amount to little more than platitudes and appear at odds with the spirit of Ireland’s neutrality, as set out in Article 29 of Bunreacht na hÉireann – a principle strongly supported by the Irish public, as numerous polls have shown.
Why can the Irish Government not adopt the clearer stance taken by Spain?
Ireland’s neutrality must mean standing for peace, diplomacy and international law – not quiet acquiescence in the escalation of war. – Yours, etc,
JIM ROCHE
PRO & Secretary, Irish Anti-War Movement,
PO Box 9260,
Dublin 1.
