In order to promote gender equality, it has been suggested that restrictions on women’s roles should be eliminated. This would involve recognizing and valuing the work done by women in the home and the wider community, as well as treating all families equally. We view the upcoming referendum as a unique opportunity to ensure that the Irish Constitution reflects and respects the diversity of the people and families in Ireland today. The government had initially set a deadline of mid-May for the release of the referendum wording, but this deadline has passed without any updates. Without knowing the specifics of the wording, it becomes increasingly challenging to generate a response from civil society. This creates an unfair situation for the families and communities directly affected by the potential changes, as well as for the Irish people who need time to engage in meaningful discussions about these important issues. We sincerely hope that this delay does not indicate a change in direction from the government, contradicting the recommendations made by the Citizens’ Assembly and the Joint Oireachtas Committee. These recommendations included removing outdated references to “women in the home,” recognizing the value of caregiving, and adopting a more inclusive definition of family that protects all types of families. We urgently seek clarification on when the referendum wording will be published, as it is crucial for the Irish public to have sufficient time to have a national conversation on these important societal matters. We believe that now, more than ever, we have the opportunity to make Ireland a more inclusive and caring country.
Orla O’Connor, National Women’s Council of Ireland; Damien Peelo, Treoir; Catherine Cox, Family Carers Ireland; Karen Kiernan, One Family; Ethel Buckley, Siptu
Letter highlights frustration with the current state of the nation and the lack of action from politicians.
The individual who wrote the letter, whose identity is known by the editor, is just one of many Irish people who are disheartened by the current state of the country and the lack of action from politicians. It seems evident that the author is particularly saddened not only by the state of the nation itself, but also by the inaction of politicians and the indifference displayed by many citizens. The month of August has historically been a somber time for Ireland, marked by the anniversaries of the deaths of Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins. The deaths of these influential men led to the complete subordination of Irish governments to the Irish branch of the Roman Catholic Church for a significant period of time. The State relinquished all responsibility for child welfare, education, and more to the church. Every year, on the Sunday closest to August 22, Béal na Bláth becomes the site of an annual commemoration, where citizens gather to hear an eminent speaker deliver “polite meaningless words,” as WB Yeats would describe them. The reason I mention this is because not a single idea presented during these gatherings has ever been put into action. One of the great tragedies of our time is that the Catholic Church, which should be providing religious guidance, remains stuck in a stagnant state. In both the Dáil and the Senate, the concerns of individual constituencies appear to take precedence over national affairs. The author of the letter compares the global rise of fascism and totalitarianism in the 1930s to the sentiment expressed by the letter writer: “Basic law and order and fairness seem to have been all but forgotten as being core tenets of society.” The Celtic knot, a symbol representing the inseparable connection between humans and the natural world, demonstrates that everything is interconnected and reliant on the “core tenets of society” — responsible individuals who act without bias or fear. This is why it is vital for the “existing parties in Ireland … to be cautious of this in case, in the future, we find our own versions of Donald Trump or Brexit.”
Declan Foley, Melbourne, Australia
The saga surrounding GAA pundits and their affiliation with clothing brands suggests that matters of taste are timeless.
I recently read that some GAA pundits were among the high-profile commentators who have been endorsing clothing brands without obtaining permission from RTÉ. This practice dates back to the early 1960s and is as old as RTÉ itself. At that time, the focus was on stagehands setting up bar scenes and strategically placing certain beer brands in prominent positions, which eventually drew scrutiny. It was discovered that one stagehand was receiving payment for this, leading to other stagehands reporting him to the director general of RTÉ, who promptly contacted the breweries and informed them that if remuneration for product placement was taking place, it needed to cease. In response to concerns about commentators potentially receiving favors or payments from fashion houses, RTÉ established an in-house wardrobe for all commentators to ensure uniformity.
Hugh Duffy, Cleggan, Co Galway
I envy those who have the luxury or courage to prioritize spending time with their families over their careers.
I can’t help but feel envious of those who are able to, or are bold enough to, put their careers on hold in order to prioritize spending time with their families. Throughout my 50-year working life, this was a luxury I could never afford. It was quite the opposite for me.
Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9
A prominent hotelier’s defense of Ryan Tubridy fails to hold the broadcaster accountable.
According to a leading hotelier, Ryan Tubridy has been the victim of a “public execution,” which I deem as more of a self-inflicted “free cancellation” over time.
Eugene Tannam, Firhouse, Dublin 24
The NCT’s decision to stop accepting cash payments leaves drivers with no choice.
I was deeply disappointed to learn that NCT Ireland has decided to go cashless, as announced on social media. This decision is discriminatory in nature and eliminates the customer’s ability to choose how they would like to pay for the service. Unlike other businesses that have opted to go cashless, motorists are unable to seek out alternative providers for this specific service. The NCT test is mandatory for vehicles of a certain age under the law, and therefore it is the responsibility of the government to pressure NCT Ireland to reverse this decision.
Eamonn O’Hara, Manorcunningham, Co Donegal
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