Letters to the Editor: Government must rethink Sale of Alcohol Bill

One driver every hour: Garda Chief Supt Jane Humphreys said on December 20, 2023 “already from the 1st December we have had one arrest per hour for intoxicated driving”. That in itself is absolutely shocking.

One in every four ambulance call-outs: In Scotland (with a similar population to Ireland) over one in four (28.2%) ambulance call-outs at weekend night times (6pm to 6am) are alcohol-harm related. Some 86,780 ambulance callouts were identified as alcohol-related in 2019. No reason not to believe that we have similar patterns here in Ireland. More worrying is how few interventions are done at an individual level to establish if those impacted should complete an alcohol harm assessment before discharge from hospital or as part of any court proceedings.

One key question still remains unanswered: Will the Sale of Alcohol Bill turn these grim statistics into more unintended consequences or does the Government believe that the bill will reduce alcohol harm for individuals, families, employers, and the wider communities while increasing the already super normal profits of the alcohol industry?

One potential solution: An independent and comprehensive health impact study needs to be undertaken and the report published ahead of the Sale of Alcohol Bill coming again before the Houses of the Oireachtas in 2024.

Paddy Creedon, recovery advocate

Newry, Co Down

Look at root causes of immigration

2023 was the year in which the debate on immigration stepped up a gear here in Ireland, with some commentary taking on the sinister racial undertones already evident in other EU countries.

Any honest debate on immigration needs to acknowledge the growing impact of the climate and biodiversity crisis on the social cohesion of vulnerable countries. Putting up physical and political barriers will not deter those desperate to escape grinding poverty, political instability, and environmental catastrophe.

If Western nations want to to genuinely deal with the mass migrations that are inevitable, then they need to deal with the fundamental issues driving it.

They need to massively increase the Loss and Damage fund agreed at Cop28 from the pitiful $700m to a level that can make a meaningful difference. In addition, the EU and US need to stop propping up corrupt regimes that facilitate corporations in the extractive destruction of these countries.

We cannot expect to carry on with business as usual, destroying ecosystems and destabilising countries without a resulting impact.

Ireland, having benefited hugely in recent years from an economic system that exploits developing countries, should be using its influence to lobby for the positive changes needed to eliminate the root causes of mass migration, instead of exacerbating its impact.

Barry Walsh

Blackrock, Cork

US president not yet set in stone

Both Michael Ignatieff and Neil McDonnell in their respective articles ( Irish Examiner, December 27) correctly predict 2024 will be a very consequential year.

Interestingly though, both predict the next US election will be a contest between Trump and Biden and worry about the prospect of Trump being re-elected. This is in stark contrast to a contributor to another Irish newspaper who brazenly says that “the previous Trump presidency was quite peaceful and successful” in comparison to what we have today.

If we know anything about America it is that they prefer the new to the old about their presidents. After all, they elected a little-known governor from Arkansas as their 42nd president in 1992. They did the same in 2008 with a then-unknown senator from Illinois who happens to be black.

What are the chances in November that they will elect their first woman president and the first Indian American to the highest office in the land?

Nikki Haley should not be written off, particularly if she beats the dour Ron DeSantis into second place in the forthcoming Iowa caucuses on January 15. Polls are showing her more likely to beat Biden in November than Trump. And with the threat of a criminal conviction hanging over the latter don’t be too surprised if the former ambassador to the UN climbs in the rankings early next year in what promises to be a very exciting and eventful 2024.

Tom McElligott

Tournageehy, Listowel, Co Kerry

Credit JP McManus for GAA donations

Robert Sullivan’s recent letter ( Irish Examiner, December 23) is just an example of a serial letter writer jumping on the bandwagon news of the day. He is unaware of what JP McManus or anyone else donates anonymously to charity. On a donation to a sporting organisation, I would contend that this is a wonderful gesture by those who can help them.

Sporting organisations are the bodies that keep our youth off the streets and build communities we all like to live in. Volunteers who stand on the sidelines of muddy fields need the backing of us all. Whether it is those who give at the door to the volunteer or someone who can afford to give a lot we must appreciate the social benefit of sport for our youth.

Dan Coleman

Oaklee, Carrigrohane, Co Cork

Boycott needed to halt Israel’s war

On December 24, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a visit to Israeli soldiers in Gaza, rallying his troops to continue the annihilation of Palestinians trapped within the enclave.

Coming as it does only a few days after the UN Resolution calling for safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, it shows Mr Netanyahu and his government’s utter contempt for humanitarianism and the UN.

I urge our government to not only apply the Occupied Territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlements Bill but also to implement the BDS campaign, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel to halt its ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people. It worked in South Africa.

Generations to come will ask, well, what did we do to stop the slaughter? In effect, nothing. As a small nation we still have a chance now to stand up and say, stop!

David Murphy

Clonskeagh, Dublin 14

Sanctions worked to end apartheid

Leo Varadkar is quoted as opposing the isolation of Israel ( Irish Examiner, December 27). In fact, he has spoken out publicly a number of times against the global campaign of boycott, divestment, and sanctions, which has long been advocated by Palestinian civil society organisations.

It is a curious position and unhelpful for those who wish the Israeli state to face consequences for its brutal actions.

The apartheid era in South Africa came to an end in part because of exactly such a campaign of ostracism, including consumer boycotts. Who can forget the valiant stand made by the anti-apartheid Dunnes Stores strikers in Dublin?

Those who fought for democracy and equality within South Africa supported the international isolation of their racist state because they understood its effectiveness. It is a peaceful way of insisting on change.

There is much good sense in taking similar action against the rogue state of Israel which continues to indiscriminately massacre civilians in Gaza. Mr Varadkar should rethink his position.

Fintan Lane

Málaga, Spain

Blessed to hear Jack at Christmas

I felt privileged to have been at the 8.30am mass in St John the Baptist Church in Ovens on Christmas Day to hear Jack O’Rourke playing the organ and singing a selection of carols and hymns.

At the beginning of mass, Jack’s powerful, soaring voice filled the church as he sang ‘Adeste Fideles’, which he followed with a number of more gentle and reflective carols.

During Holy Communion, he played a lovely trio of hymns, as Gaeilge, and then he delivered a most enthralling and majestic rendition of ‘O Holy Night’. The spontaneous and prolonged applause that greeted this performance was a reflection of the appreciation, gratitude, and indeed pride of the congregation of the talent of someone native to their own parish.

It gave lie to the saying “a prophet is not without honour except in his own land”. It was fitting also that the organ which Jack had begun playing at mass as a young man had been donated to the Church by his very near neighbours, the McGovern family, and it never sounded better than it did on Christmas morning.

Thanks to Jack for providing a memorable and uplifting experience, one of those occasions that one could gladly say — I was there.

Tadhg Nash

The Mara, Ovens, Co Cork