Sir, – I note that the recently agreed Programme for Government includes an objective to continue to “support one-off rural housing”. While this settlement pattern has been the subject of controversy for decades, one aspect which is rarely discussed is its heightened vulnerability to prolonged power outages, a hardship which is currently being experienced by too many rural communities in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.
Due to our preference for this pattern of dispersed rural development, the Irish electricity system has an extremely high proportion of exposed overhead network relative to underground network. The ratio of kilometres of overhead to underground network is six to one. Most other European countries, with more concentrated settlement patterns, have a significantly lower ratio of typically less than two to one.
The extent of our overhead network relative to our population size makes the reliability of our 17,500km electricity distribution system uniquely vulnerable to climate and environmental risks. It is also much more costly to maintain and challenging to repair following severe weather events which will inevitably intensify as a consequence of climate change. – Yours, etc,
GAVIN DALY,
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Dublin 1.
Sir, – It is hard to believe in 2025 that a failure of electricity supply knocks out water supply plants. Uisce Éireann appear to have no permanent stand-by generation in place at their water plants so when electricity fails, water supply fails.
The majority of major businesses have generators to enable business to continue if there is an electricity outage.
It is clearly a failure of management of power-supply failure risk at our water supply company, piling misery upon already affected customers. When will this utility start to manage its business in a customer-focused fashion? – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL DOOLEY,
Dublin 15.
Sir, – Perhaps the recent consecutive storms and the damage and destruction in their wake may inject a dose of reality to the climate change debate. Those living in A-rated dwellings, as mandated for all new constructions, now find themselves without alternatives to enable their homes to be habitable without electricity. No fossil-fuel options are allowed in new houses; no chimneys, no stoves, no fireplaces. Those who rely on well-pumps find themselves without a water supply. Meanwhile, local authorities, the electric grid network and other emergency service providers work in very difficult circumstances to restore supplies. This work involves the unavoidable use of heavy-duty plant and machinery, from the diesel-powered all-terrain vehicle to the petrol-fuelled chainsaw. All dependent on fossil fuels. Indeed, even the very wind-energy power sources have themselves been damaged by the wind itself.
It is well past time for an honest discourse on sustainability and emissions. We need to acknowledge that we still have a global and domestic need for fossil fuels. – Yours, etc,
LARRY DUNNE,
Rosslare Harbour,
Co Wexford.
Sir, – Considering the widespread damage caused to our electrical grid by the recent storms, and the likelihood of similar events becoming even more severe and more frequent, might it not be expedient for the planning authorities to not only remove the ban on fireplaces in new homes, but make the installation of simple solid-fuel stoves obligatory? – Yours, etc,
VALERIE COLLINS,
Killorglin,
Co Kerry.
Sir, – Is the Army as highly trained as our local authority county council staff in the use of the chainsaw and tree-felling? If they are, why aren’t they out assisting and clearing the way for our ESB workers in these exceptional times? – Yours, etc,
ANDREW STINCHON,
Calry,
Sligo.
Sir, – “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few” is an expression that fits well to the restoration of power to homes in the event of a mass outages. All other things being equal, where a repair will restore power to multiple homes, that repair should naturally take priority over repairs that would restore power to a single home.
We have been frequently told that climate change will make more powerful storms a more frequent occurrence. Those who choose to live in isolated locations and are suffering prolonged power outages are now fully aware that they will be at the back of the queue for help in crisis situations.
Having learned the lesson of Storm Éowyn, they will no doubt maintain stores of essential items in future, and ensure their homes have alternatives means of lighting, heating, and cooking. They will no doubt also reconsider any plans they may have had for purchasing electric vehicles, which are quickly rendered useless in the event of a prolonged mains outage. – Yours, etc,
JOHN THOMPSON,
Dublin 7.
Super Juniors and the Constitution
Sir, – Fintan O’Toole hits the constitutional nail on the head (“An unfortunate incident of photobombing at the Áras highlights big problem for our democracy”, Opinion & Analysis, January 28th). However, one significant element is missed in the analysis.
The new Government proposes to include four, rather than three, super junior ministers within its ranks. Let us not overlook Mary Butler, as the Taoiseach appears to have done when selecting his Cabinet last Thursday.
Under section 3A of the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Act 1998, as amended in August 2020, “not more than three specified holders of the office of Minister of State” may regularly attend meetings of the Cabinet.
Until new legislation is put forward, passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and enacted following signature of the President, one of the four proposed super juniors pictured at the Áras last week will get nowhere near a Cabinet meeting.
And therein lies the solution to determining once and for all the constitutionality of Ministers of State attending Cabinet. Michael D Higgins may, under Article 26 of the Constitution, refer such a piece of legislation directly to the Supreme Court for review.
Such use of Article 26 by the President would ensure no citizen has to take the risk of first a High Court case, then a subsequent Supreme Court case, in order to defend the Constitution and have the courts finally determine this matter. – Yours, etc,
TOMÁS HENEGHAN,
Dublin 3.
Holocaust Memorial Day
Sir, – The removal of silent protesters from the Holocaust commemoration during President Higgins’s inappropriate speech was shameful and wrong. – Yours, etc,
THOMAS MORRIS GORMALLY,
Rathangan,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – Taoiseach Micheál Martin, writing on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, ends with “‘Never Again’ is truly ‘Never Again’” (“Micheál Martin: Anti-Semitism is increasing across the world. We must act”, Opinion & Analysis, January 27th). Several people are reported to have walked out when President Michael D Higgins made a reference to the war in Gaza during his speech marking Holocaust Memorial Day. Never again should mean never again for everyone. – Yours, etc,
SEÁN MARMION,
Dublin 9.
Sir, – Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp and is an entirely non-political event.
President Higgins in his speech chose to reference the ongoing conflict in Gaza, despite the opposition of senior representatives of the Jewish community to his giving the keynote speech, rightly fearing he might repeat similar earlier comments. It was very insensitive of the President to comment on current events at a Holocaust memorial event.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin noted that International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a “most solemn occasion for remembrance” and did not stray into current political comment at all, striking a far more appropriate tone (Opinion & Analysis, January 27th).
Several people protested when President Higgins referenced Gaza in his speech by turning their backs and standing in silence, and The Irish Times reports that one protester “was forced out of the event by security personnel” (News, January 27th). I wonder what the legal basis was. No public order offence was either committed or threatened. – Yours, etc,
DONAL McGRATH,
Greystones,
Co Wicklow.
An Bord Pleanála inquiry report
Sir, – The first goal listed by An Bord Pleanála in its Strategic Plan 2018-20234 is given as “Protecting and enhancing our reputation for independence, impartiality, trust, integrity and transparency.”
The inquiry report into governance issues at An Bord Pleanála was completed in July of last year yet its summary findings were only made known at the weekend following questions from The Irish Times (“Bord Pleanála report rules out disciplinary action against current or former employees”, News, January 27th).
We are further told that the inquiry report itself will not be published as the board chairman has claimed he is “precluded for legal reasons from publishing”, that “there were no grounds . . for a referral to the Minister” and that an “unnamed board member . . . was no longer in An Bord Pleanála”. Such a stance flies in the face of the organisation’s own stated goals of transparency and trust. It surely compromises rather than enhances the board’s credibility. An Bord Pleanála is a public service body whose work, including inquiries it initiates, is funded by the taxpayer.
Without transparency, how can the public or the Minister have any trust that the organisation has learned from its past failings? The organisation may have changed its name to An Coimisiún Pleanála but it is far from clear that it has changed its spots. – Yours, etc,
FINTAN REDDY,
Dublin 15.
Data centres and climate change
Sir, – William Walsh, chief executive of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, says Ireland needs to greatly increase its use of renewable energy in order to meet its climate targets (“Tough choices must be made on the climate crisis”, Opinion & Analysis, January 28th). Everyone now knows that data centres are having a hugely distorting and damaging effect on achieving our climate targets, but instead of questioning the Government’s policy of continuing to allow more of these centres to open, Mr Walsh suggests that our roll-out of renewable energy in the years ahead be used to service them.
This raises a serious question for householders like me, and for small businesses, farmers and others. That question is whether we are being asked to do things like installing heat pumps, living in rural houses without fireplaces, etc, to save the planet, or are we being asked to do these things in order to reserve enough energy for more data centres? Perhaps we should be told. – Yours, etc,
RICHARD BARRETT,
Dublin 6.
US and funding for Ireland
Sir, – The International Fund for Ireland, among other bodies, has “expressed concern” that funding to the tune of £4 million per annum might be at risk following a decision of the government of the US to temporarily cut some foreign assistance programmes.
Why are wealthy countries like Ireland and the UK accepting money from the US? Irrespective of what one thinks of Donald Trump and his policies, there is no reason whatever for the US to be providing funding for anything in this country or the UK.
Ireland, like nearly all European countries, has more than adequate resources to manage and fund our own affairs, whether administrative or defensive, and under no circumstances should we be looking for subsidies, assistance or handouts from the US or anyone else. – Yours, etc,
HUGH PIERCE,
Celbridge,
Co Kildare.
The fabric of our lives
Sir, – When I worked in education, my wardrobe was filled with suits – symbols of authority and, perhaps, existential defiance in the face of adolescent chaos. Retirement, however, has brought a dramatic shift. The suits have been replaced by drawers of sports gear, and I now take great delight in purchasing running shoes with decent cushioning, practicality triumphing over the polished leather brogues I once wore (though the running shoes seem to cost just as much).
As noted in Colm Keena’s An Irishman’s Diary (January 28th), clothing often reflects one’s sense of purpose or status. In retirement, however, it feels less like a uniform and more like liberation. These days, my sartorial choices serve a new mission: comfort, movement, and the occasional indulgence in brightly coloured trainers that make me smile. – Yours, etc,
ENDA CULLEN,
Armagh.
Independent thinking
Sir, – When you consider the benefits the Regional Independents have gained from the Coalition – Ceann Comhairle, junior ministries, and Government commitments regarding projects in individual constituencies – is it not a lesson to all constituencies to return at least one Independent TD per constituency at the next election? – Yours, etc,
MARTIN CROTTY,
Blackrock,
Co Louth.
