It can be hard to believe that people actually behaved like this in early 20th-century Dublin. Sexual licence? Yes, it seems they all wrote out their own official licence for their behaviour and, apparently, they all had a great time.
Where did I go wrong, in my conservative Catholic upbringing and my own nature? Oh to have been a care-nothing bohemian in those days and in that milieu where casual sex with a poet, writer, dancer, actor was available around every corner and in every soiree. Responsibility and loyalty were only words in a dictionary.
Nevertheless, to men of my vintage it all sounds impossibly exotic and, once more, I wonder, could I possibly have become part of that hedonistic scene? Here I am now, in old age, wondering.
Anthony Hanrahan, Saltruck, Renvyle, Co Galway
Car drivers pay price for EV maintenance
Sir — I am raising a pressing concern regarding the rising cost of motor insurance and the burden being placed on petrol and diesel car owners. While the insurance industry has undergone significant reforms, including lower personal injury payouts and reduced fraud claims, drivers continue to face increasing premiums. One key factor driving this surge is the rising cost of repairing electric vehicles (EVs), which are becoming more complex and expensive to fix. However, it seems fundamentally unfair that petrol and diesel car owners are being penalised for the repair costs of electric vehicles. While the shift towards electric cars is undoubtedly important for our future, the fact remains that petrol and diesel vehicles still make up the majority of cars on Irish roads — and the vast majority of drivers have not yet made the switch to EVs, due to the cost. Still, petrol and diesel car owners are seeing their insurance premiums increase to cover the high repair costs of electric vehicles. Instead of spreading these additional costs across all drivers, it would be more logical to create a pricing structure that reflects the specific risks and costs associated with electric vehicles. Those driving electric cars should bear the costs of their repairs, rather than having all car owners subsidise the expense through higher premiums. As we transition to a more sustainable future, it is crucial that the insurance industry ensures fairness and does not unfairly penalise all car drivers.
Brian Lube, Co Meath
Mickey has the cars, but Armagh has Sam
Sir — Joe Brolly’s critique of Armagh winning the “sacred chalice” (‘Gavin gives us light at the end of the tunnel’, December 29) is as overwrought as Mickey Harte’s supposed car collection. If Gaelic football has truly become “vile, odious, even evil”, perhaps Joe should stick to critiquing his own beloved Derry and leave Armagh’s hard-earned triumph alone. As for his erroneous claim that Armagh were mind-numbingly boring, well, at least we won — without the need for a rules review committee to show us how.
Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh
Taking issue with garda vetting system
Sir — A recent interview with the head of the Garda National Immigration Bureau made for interesting reading, particularly Detective Chief Superintendent Aidan Minnock’s comment that there are no unvetted international protection applicants in the country. This is not correct, as while there is access to the Eurodac fingerprint system and Interpol to check on any previous asylum history and criminal convictions in Interpol member states, there is no provision for checking with the national police of a state from where someone is claiming asylum. Apart from this very salient point, it is important to note that while asylum applications have slowed to roughly 200 a week, there are 22,641 persons awaiting an interview and 8,500 awaiting an appeal hearing, per the November statistics of the International Protection Office. The Justice Minister has made great play of the proposed Migration Pact solving many of our asylum problems — but at current processing rates, allied to a dismal 6pc enforcement rate of deportation orders made by Helen McEntee’s department, it is highly unlikely the State will have any tangible control of asylum by 2026 when the pact kicks in. The only realistic way of clearing the backlog is an amnesty for most in the process, a course of action that brings major risks as people will head here rather than claim residence in an increasingly right-swinging Europe.
Michael Flynn, Bayside, Dublin 13
Lonely lives behind those painted smiles
Sir — The standout movie on TV over Christmas was (for me at least) That They May Face The Rising Sun. A special mention for Seán McGinley, who gave a wonderful portrayal of the “fella home from England”, clearly putting the best face on what was an obviously lonely life over there. It reminded me of a late bachelor uncle of mine, who always visited from England at Christmas, also putting a brave face on a similar existence. One is reminded of the song Behind A Painted Smile. Quite.
Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9
Which means most — Ukraine or Gaza?
Sir — What is happening now in Gaza needs no description from me, and I will not argue the rights and wrongs of that terrible conflict, for most assuredly where religion, politics and weapon-sales combine there are no easy solutions, as some would have us believe. Perhaps, though, a longer-term result, one with even more tragic and certainly more direct consequences for Europe, is the fact that same Gaza mayhem has distracted much attention from Russia’s attack on Ukraine at a time when America has largely failed to deliver on its promises as an ally. Which is more important, Gaza or Ukraine? It’s a question which has hardly been asked, never mind answered — in Ireland or in most of Europe. Yet it’s one which may soon be forced upon us by events in the White House.
Eddie Lenihan, Crusheen, Ennis, Co Clare
Looking on the bright side of life in 2025
Sir — I liked Colin Murphy’s piece (‘We are guilty of a lack of positive news and growth’, December 28). Murphy rightly says we could all do with working harder to find good news, and report it. It’s a challenge, perhaps, to mainstream media not to keep feeding us with too much depressing negative news, without some inspiring good news stories. I was particularly taken aback by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael unnecessarily hyping up the risks to our economy during the election campaign, as consequences of the imminent arrival of the new Trump administration. A threat grossly overplayed, I would say. Trump is a businessman who knows the value of trading relationships better than most. We are also continually being beaten up on our supposed lack of progress on climate action. But why? Can we not give ourselves a break, a respite? We shouldn’t open the doomsday door easily. Hopefully, when our politicians get back to work after the Christmas break, they will air the positive “look on the bright side of life” in their programme for government. We need positive policies that will make a profound difference to the lives of all the citizens of this great country, starting with those with the greatest need — our children, the vulnerable and our carers.
Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18
Seanad campaigns are proving grounds
Sir — I would have thought that after 29 years in the Seanad, Shane Ross would not be as cynical about the upcoming Seanad elections (‘Secret scheming and back-stabbing for Senate seats’, December 29). His article was a bit over the top. I took the trouble back in 2007 to canvass TDs and county councillors who were known to me for a party colleague in my constituency running for the Senate. I had worked in a number of constituencies around the country, and I’d been a party activist in a number of them — so I hoped to do our then local candidate a good turn on a very competitive panel. I can assure Ross that I did not arrive at any councillor’s door bearing any false gifts or mouthfuls of flattery or any breakable promises. I just made a case for a candidate that had the potential to become a TD. All of the county councillors were honest and forthright. I soon learned who the preferred candidate from the neighbouring constituency was — and I knew she was going to succeed. I do think it is cynical to write that battle-weary candidates return from the election trail with tales of treachery. We are trying to encourage young people to enter public life. This type of nonsense will only discourage them. I can remember a late former TD who lost her Dáil seat over a poor distribution of her party vote, a common occurrence. I was encouraging her to go on the Seanad trail, but she declined — she had been through the experience before and did not want to do it again. She waited for the next general election and was elected again. In the case of the candidate I supported in 2007, she missed out on a Seanad seat by a small margin but was elected to the Dáil four years later. The favourite candidate for the panel was elected to the Seanad and did win a Dáil seat as well, four years later. I do wish all of the candidates the best of luck in their quest on the Seanad trail. It is a tough campaign, but people are honest, and it will be worthwhile for some.
Thomas Garvey, Claremorris, Co Mayo
What will the legacy of Paddy Hill be?
Sir — Now that another innocent man, Paddy Hill, has died after many years of seeking justice for the victims and the falsely accused of the Birmingham bombings, it is also time for surviving members of IRA/Sinn Féin who know the names of the guilty to put their troublesome ghosts to rest by in some way atoning through personal admissions of knowledge.
Robert Sullivan, Bantry, Co Cork
Is madness just the way we like to roll?
Sir — The charlatans failed us miserably. The lack of political leadership and accountability in Ireland throughout my lifetime has been a disgrace. Imagine what ‘The Big Fellow’ would have made of all of this. Working-class people have always got shafted in the Emerald Isle. We don’t advocate well and we just allow it to happen. Young people have left in their droves. I live in Canada with my young family. The health care system in Ireland continues to be an absolute shambles. Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin both had the opportunity to serve as health minister. The only man in the country who could fix the health care system is Michael O’Leary. I laughed when the donkeys all got offended at his bit of banter about teachers. I am a teacher. But a hospital that costs over €2.2bn with no accountability is madness. It’s just the way we roll and we allow these people to get away with it. Irish people deserve better. We deserve better leadership. We deserve good healthcare. Working-class people should have the opportunity to buy their own house and be safe on the streets of the city centre without scumbags attacking them (get more guards on the streets and be tough on violent crime). We deserve a better future. There are many young Irish people abroad who would love to come back and live in Ireland. When that happens, we will make our voices heard.
Jason O’Sullivan, Vancouver, Canada
Irish are ecologically indifferent by nature
Sir — Few would disagree that our attention to personal hygiene and the frequency of ablutions has increased spectacularly over the last 60 years. Few, now, would take their cue from Elizabeth I, who reputedly took a bath once a month, whether she needed one or not. It is ironic then, that during this same time period — as Michael Gleason pointed out in his winning letter of December 29 — our waterways have become increasingly polluted. At the risk of sounding cynical, I don’t anticipate any huge outcry about this state of affairs. We are seemingly ecologically indifferent, if not downright hostile. I saw a clip of a politician in the run-in to the recent election warning his constituents not to vote Green, because “they are all about the environment”. He topped the poll.
Jim O’Connell, Ashtown, Dublin 7
A lament for war and our inability to learn
Sir — Oh, how innocent they all were, to believe at the time, It was the war to end all wars, and bring peace sublime. Germany was defeated, but they were not done, For then along came Hitler, with his tanks and guns. When he invaded Poland, Churchill could take no more, And Europe once again, became a theatre of war. When the Allies came on board, they crushed the Nazi might, And when it was all over, the new world dawn looked bright. But sadly nations everywhere, learn naught from history, And resort to warfare, rather than diplomacy. With the USSR’s demise, Russian power waned, Until Putin got a notion, to reclaim the Ukraine. Now Israelis wage unholy war, on biblical terrain, And it saddens me to wonder, if we will ever learn?
Nicky Barry, Killarney, Co Kerry
Eamon Ryan’s move is a threat to salmon
Sir — As the co-author of a recent book about the heritage and threatened future of the Atlantic wild salmon and its associated fisheries (Swimming Upstream, O’Brien Press), and as an activist, I comment with great sadness and disappointment concerning the publication of incumbent Environment Minister Eamon Ryan of his proposed wild salmon management regulations for 2025. Once again, the minister has failed in his duty of protecting our nation’s iconic Atlantic Irish wild salmon. Ryan’s reckless and wanton act in ignoring the imminent demise of our national treasure and refusing the opportunity to give the wild salmon a fighting chance of survival is mindboggling. This wanton act of opening 40 of our “salmon” rivers will accelerate the demise of this noble creature. The no-holds-barred nature of the full-bore slaughter fishing regime, that will take place along these 40 rivers, will not leave much to the imagination. Our North Atlantic salmon neighbours’ proactive example should be followed in their wholesale closing of their salmon fisheries last year. We need to liaise and work with them, with an agreed plan, if we are all to live in harmony and protect our common heritage, of Salmo Salar. I would like to appeal to the ordinary, honest Joe Soap wild salmon angler to lobby their incoming national public representatives, and appraise them of the true state of the wild salmon resource. Because of the unique nature of the Atlantic wild salmon, we will need the full support of all its privileged host peoples, if it is to have a future.
Patsy Peril, Coonagh, Limerick
Jimmy Carter was an exceptional man
Sir — Jimmy Carter’s dedication to trying to find peace was extraordinary. He was an exceptional human being who left the world with a phenomenal legacy.
John O’Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
