Sir, – There is an opportunity for the Government to request the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, to call an emergency special session (ESS) at the forthcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA) meeting later this month.
The purpose would be to discuss the situation in Gaza and get the UN take an active part in protecting the civilians in Gaza – up to and including raising a peacekeeping force.
This can be done under Resolution 377 “Uniting for Peace”, as it allows the UNGA to act when the UN Security Council is deadlocked by vetoes.
An ESS requires a simple majority of member states to call for it, although it then requires a two-thirds majority of those present and voting to agree on proposed actions.
RM Block
We request that the Government ensure that our UN representative calls on the other 192 member states to join this demand.
Resolution 377 can be used on those occasions when the Security Council is deadlocked by vetoes. This is such an occasion; on June 4th, a draft resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza failed to pass in the UN Security Council after the United States cast its veto – blocking the initiative backed by all 10 elected members of the council.
Emergency special sessions, often using Resolution 377 have been used throughout the history of the UN – including during the Korean War and the Suez Canal crisis.
It was used in relation to Bangladesh in 1971, Afghanistan in 1980, and Israel in 1982 and most recently in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.
The resolution is strong enough to give the UNGA the right to raise a peace-keeping force.
The situation is urgent. Civilians are being killed on a daily basis by Israeli forces and through its deliberate actions are causing famine, which is, in itself, a war crime.
The Irish Government joined the South African case at the International Court of Justice to investigate if genocide was taking place.
Plans to bomb and destroy Gaza City and to move the population to a so-called safe zone, are acts of ethnic cleansing and must be stopped.
The Irish people have shown in their protests that they are demanding action from our Government.
Irish governments have a good track record and have shown leadership on the issue of Palestine. Now is the time for leadership. – Yours, etc,
SEAN O’BRIAIN,
Comhlámh Justice for Palestine,
JOHN REYNOLDS,
Academics for Palestine;
KAROL BALFE,
CEO Action Aid;
DERMOT BARRY,
Cork Palestine Solidarity;
JOE O’BRIEN, Director,
ICCL;
JOHN BOYLE,
General secretary, INTO;
DR ANGY SKUCE,
Irish Health Care Workers
for Palestine;
ÁINE HUTCHINSON, Ireland
Palestine Mental Health Network;
JACOB WOOLF,
Jews for Palestine Ireland;
REV JOHN PARKIN,
Kairos Ireland;
AOIFE HERR,
Mothers Against Genocide;
ORLA O’CONNOR, Director,
National Women’s Council;
SEÁN THIM O’LEARY, President,
TCD Students Union;
PAUL McSWEENEY,
Trade Union Friends of Palestine;
SIOBHAN CURRAN,
Trócaire.
(and several other NGOs and
groups).
Sir, – Almost two years into their war of revenge on the people of Palestine and it’s just business as usual between Israel and the European Union.
Yesterday, Hungary hosted Gideon Saar, foreign minister of the regime that continues, with impunity, to commit genocide, ethnic cleansing and countless other war crimes.
What sort of sick parallel universe are we now living in? – Yours, etc,
BARRY O’REILLY,
Clonmel,
Co Tipperary.
A predictable predicament
Sir, – One of the features of the housing crisis is that entirely predictable and long-standing issues on which we have abundant data (such as demographics and changing housing needs, a dysfunctional planning system, and very poor urban design) have been ignored until they reach crisis levels.
We can add to that list a collapse in home ownership because of government policy. Census data shows that there has been a colossal 20 per cent decline in home ownership since 2005.
Dramatically lower rates of home ownership are set to continue, and the innumerable economic and societal consequences of this will very soon be upon us.
Government policy, whether intentional or not, increasingly discourages people from buying their own home. First-time buyers passing many of the large apartment blocks under construction across Dublin and other cities can only despair as they realise that almost none of the units will be for sale to private citizens, at any price. Instead, they are often being sold in their entirety to the State, via Approved Housing Bodies, which will then rent them at subsidised rates to those who qualify for such.
This arrangement is, as David McWilliams pointed out (Irish Times, August 23rd), a builder’s dream, but it is (yet another) disaster for those trying to buy.
The Land Development Agency, meanwhile, largely develops housing that is for rent, not for purchase, and is about to do this on a massive scale.
Most adults in Ireland want, once past a certain age, to own their own home. They don’t want to rent into their later years, for very good reason. It seems unlikely, therefore, that any political party has a mandate for the State to outbid first-time buyers, take many thousands of new apartments off the market, drive house price inflation, and encourage long-term renting rather than home ownership.
Yet here we are. – Yours, etc,
ANDREW QUINN,
Clongriffin,
Dublin 13.
Mercosur trade deal
Sir, – In his recent article about the Mercusor trade deal Cliff Taylor describes the idea that Ireland would voice any opposition as “bizarre” (“Taoiseach Micheál Martin insists Ireland is pro-trade ... except when it comes to Mercosur,” September 7th).
The deal has adverse implications for our agricultural sector – an industry almost synonymous with Ireland, and one which plays a foundational role for so many aspects of rural Irish life; social, cultural and economic. And yet, we are told, opposition would be “bizarre”.
Serious concerns also rest on the deal’s environmental impact. Taylor bats these worries away as mere “apocryphal” claims by the beef sector. This is not a suitably serious treatment of the issue. The Irish public’s attitude to the environment has come a long way in recent years.
Equivocating on the environmental ramifications of this deal risks adding fuel to climate cynicism. And yet, we are told, opposition to the deal would be “bizarre”.
In truth, those who oppose the deal to protect the farming industry and those who oppose it for environmental concerns are uncomfortable bed-fellows. But both camps have legitimate, important and outstanding concerns.
Given the gravity of the underlying issues, the article’s conclusion that the worst-case scenario is “embarrassment” is in itself embarrassing. And, dare I say it, bizarre. – Yours, etc,
JONATHAN FARRAR,
Abbeyshrule,
Co Longford.
The cost of electricity
The appeal by Sadhbh O’Neill (“Tackling energy poverty is not only about bringing down cost,” September 9th) for increased Government intervention to address household electricity bills – particularly for low income households – requires some context . About 56 per cent of households consume less than 2,500 kWh a year, with an average consumption of 1,300 kWh. This is well below the 4,200 kWh a year average for all households assumed by the energy regulator, the CRU.
These households benefited disproportionately from the energy credits applied over the last three years (and into the start of this year), but they will be facing much higher prices this year and in future years unless there is a dramatic change in policy.
Final prices this year will be higher for all households, but these lower consuming households could be facing prices up to 80 per cent higher than last year. Their average annual bill could go from €520 to €945.
Via domestic legislation and EU Directives, Ireland has locked itself into targets governing emission reductions and the penetration of renewable energy. But the costs of achieving these targets are excessive and are being borne disproportionately by this majority of lower-consuming, and, often, lower -income households. Something will have to give, because public discontent and anger will boil over. The upcoming Presidential election may provide voters with an opportunity to vent their fury. – Yours, etc,
PAUL HUNT,
West Sussex,
England.
Not very reassuring
Sir, – Discussions among European leaders for a “reassurance force” for Ukraine after a peace deal is made, is reminiscent of arranging deck chairs on the sinking Titanic.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has shown no indication that he is prepared to cease his aggression towards Ukraine, to make a peace deal nor to enter into a ceasefire.
Instead, European leaders need to enter into a coalition that at least provides Ukraine with adequate defensive systems – against both air and land attacks – puts a total embargo on all imports from Russia and appropriates on behalf of Ukraine all Russian funds held in the European financial system. Surely after 3½ years of Russian aggression it should be possible to secure alternative supply chains to replace imports from Russia, particularly to replace Russian gas?
And any concerns that we have regarding the impact of using Russian funds to restore Ukrainian infrastructure and supporting its population are fully offset by Putin’s total disrespect for the rules of international law and the cruelty he is imposing on the Ukrainian people.
Once and for all, Putin and Russia must be shown that their bullying tactics are unacceptable to the rest of Europe and that we will use whatever means we can to ensure that they don’t succeed.
To date, civilised Europe has not done this. Let’s put the reassurance force talks on hold until we have, at least, helped put a stop to Russian aggression through thwarting is military and crippling its economy. - Yours, etc,
COLM BARRINGTON,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.
Theatre texting
Sir, – While sympathising with Derval Duggan’s frustration at texters and message-checkers distracting her while at the theatre (Letters, September 8th), I wonder if this says as much about the play as current phone culture? – Yours, etc,
DAVID GRANT,
Co Down.
Investing in infrastructure
Sir , – Colin Hunt rightly says “Ireland”s future depends on bold vision for infrastructure “akin to 1920’s decision to build the Ardnacrusha power station (“Ireland’s future depends on collective ambition and bold vision on infrastructure,” September 8th).
Yes we need a national debate on how we will meet our future demands for electricity, water, waste water, and transport.
These debates require the input of all, not just be left in hands of bureaucrats.
The debate needs to be wide ranging and consider all the options such as mini nuclear reactors, water de-salination plants. The issue of balancing investment between east coast , south and west of the country.
Pouring billions into a MetroLink line that will service only a narrow corridor in Dublin and bringing water from Shannon half-way across the country does not bode well for a balanced society.
Now is the time to make bold decisions and make the right infrastructure options for future generations to come. – Yours, etc,
VINCENT CARROLL CEng,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin.
MetroLink musings
Sir – It is clear from the number of articles and letters, including one from me which you were kind enough to publish on May 29th, that the MetroLink issue continues to exercise the minds of your readers.
While I don’t think any of these articles and letters question the need to rapidly improve the chaotic transport situation in Dublin, many of the writers, including this one, remain unconvinced that MetroLink represents the best value for money.
Yes, MetroLink will be a boon to those living between Swords and St Stephen’s Green, but it will do little to help those living in the rapidly burgeoning suburbs of the rest of Dublin who would be much better served by expanded Dart and Luas services. It will also be of limited applicability to the users of Dublin Airport.
Unless visitors are lucky enough to be staying in the Shelbourne Hotel or are planning to camp in St Stephen’s Green (which is probably illegal) they would be better served by a railway station at Dublin Airport which connects with the mainline railway network. – Yours, etc,
CHRISTOPHER HONE,
Green Isle Road,
Dublin 22.
Threats to politicians
Sir, – Tánaiste Simon Harris rightly condemns the recent threats made against him and his family. They are absolutely unacceptable.
In this context I find it inexplicable that the band Kneecap are so widely feted in Ireland despite telling an audience that “the only good Tory is a dead Tory” and calling on them to “kill their local MP”.
Their lead singer defiles the Tricolour by wearing it as a balaclava, and their very name appears to reference the barbarous IRA practice of shooting civilians in the kneecaps and legs as a form of grotesque ‘punishment’. One of the band is facing charges in the UK for expressing support for terrorist organisations.
The failure to unequivocally condemn Kneecap for calling for lethal violence against politicians only serves to normalise the kind of distressing threats the Tánaiste and his family are experiencing. – Yours, etc,
DR PETER BOYLAN,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.
Seeing red
Sir, – Patrick Slevin, in his letter in today’s edition (September 8th) on the subject of compulsory purchase, warns readers that: “Some argue that the constitutional protection of private property ownership is overly strong, but the alternative amounts to a fundamental reorganisation of society and the economy.”
Well pardon me, but for many years now, our neighbours in the UK have had extensive legal rights of public access to most rural areas, extending even to a legal right to roam in Scotland.
Strangely however, no part of Britain has as yet been swept away by red revolution. – Yours, etc,
RICHARD BARRETT,
Upper Rathmines Road,
Dublin 6.
