Have events in Ireland lately caused problems with democracy here? One recent example is the main political parties “blocking” the nominations of potential independent presidential candidates. This could be seen as a violation of our Constitution.
The high number of spoilt votes may indicate a sense of alienation from, and disillusion with, current government policies.
Another example is the shifting view on our neutrality – many feel government action has compromised the country’s non-aligned military status.
Why not put it to the people, in a referendum, away from the geopolitical pressure that has bullied other governments into military alliances, such as Nato.
Then there is immigration. Our politicians have refused to have an honest and open debate with the public over the future direction of our country.
Debate is the bedrock of democracy in any culture or political system. It is a fundamental part of freedom of expression, which is itself recognised worldwide as a basic human right.
It could be argued that having no debate was partly to blame for the riots outside the Citywest Hotel, which houses asylum-seekers.
If our democracy has been damaged, it is due to the lack of engagement by government parties over the last decade or so with the people of Ireland.
C Bailey, Dundrum, Co Dublin
In the past week, we have been treated to letters from people who are happy to gloat about spoiling their votes in the presidential election.
I think spoiling a vote is the most cynical exercise anybody can engage in. If I had a euro for the number of times I was told that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael blocked candidates from running in the election, I would now have a small fortune.
The reality is that those parties put forward their own candidates. It was not their responsibility to facilitate people with different beliefs or ideologies.
Maria Steen had the same opportunity as Dana in 1997, when she contested the election. However, Ms Steen left it until the last minute this time.
As a colleague of mine pointed out, I would like to know where all the Independent TDs were when Ms Steen was looking for just two more votes.
The experts seem to be forgetting about Sinn Féin, the party that finished second in last year’s general election. It was not able to run a candidate, or facilitate any candidate who needed support. Instead, it jumped on a winning bandwagon.
Thomas Garvey, Claremorris, Co Mayo
It is hard to fathom the disconnect between the leaderships of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and the pulse of the nation. On housing and immigration, these parties are not at the races. In the good – or bad – old days, they knew what you had for breakfast
The referendums on Family and Care should have been enough of a warning that their lighting rods were not working.
Listening and changing course doesn’t come easy when arrogance is in play. The presidential election was disastrous for Micheál Martin and Simon Harris. In my mind, it was another kick up the backside for that inner leadership group who think they know better.
Your editorial (‘Cracks in coalition parties will become chasms if ignored’, October 28) spells out the road ahead, but I begin to wonder if even the backbenchers are also now out of tune with the electorate.
Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18
The catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Melissa is yet another warning that climate change will not merely alter our weather; it will stress and, in some cases, break the networks that hold modern civilisation together (‘Hurricane’s ferocity highlights need for urgent climate action’, October 29).
Ireland is fortunate not to have to worry about this extreme type of weather, but we delude ourselves if we think our infrastructure is ready for what is coming.
The practical work must now accelerate. Trees should not be permitted to overhang electricity lines or arterial roads. In Denmark and the Netherlands, critical rural lines are now being buried undergrounded to guarantee continuity of supply.
The proposed north-south interconnector on this island should be treated the same way: yes, under-grounding costs more today, but every expert agrees that the cost of grid failure in a future storm will be vastly greater.
We should follow Japan in hardening public buildings and flood defences by using predictive modelling rather than historical averages.
France has legally required every local authority to publish and fund “continuity plans” for electricity, transport and water in the event of extreme weather. Ireland has not.
Climate action is not just decarbonisation: it is resilience. If we do not move trees, bury cables, reinforce bridges and protect low-lying sub-stations now, then one weekend storm – not even a hurricane – could leave towns isolated, cut hospital power and sever island-wide links in hours.
Preparation is always expensive before the crisis. Its absence is called negligence.
Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh
One of many great conversations in Fawlty Towers between Basil and Sybil, played by the great Prunella Scales, who died this week, included a line from Basil when he said, “We used to laugh quite a lot”, to which Sybil replied: “Yes, but not at the same time, Basil.”
We all laughed a lot at their misadventures. Fawlty Towers was a great comedy with a great leading lady and will always be remembered with affection.
Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia
Mary Kenny’s article (‘Connolly was one of 14 kids, it’s no surprise she’s a fighter’, October 27) reminds me of a comment from a friend from a large family, who said: “I came from a family of 14. I never knew the pleasure of sleeping in a bed on my own until I got married.”
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