Dear Editor,
As politicians and farmers waltz up and down the percentage scale Ireland is already sliding in studs-up into biodiversity.
One government department recently made three political decisions which shows that Irish wildlife protection is nothing more than a political fig leaf soaking in a bath of greenwash.
Shoehorned in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which has responsibility for habitat and wildlife protection, has decided not to establish a wildlife crime unit to tackle the illegal persecution of wildlife.
This decision was based on a political refusal to fund and resource this unit so that it could actually have an impact on reducing habitat and wildlife crime.
The 2022/2023 hare coursing licence has been issued despite the universal view that this activity is a threat to the existence of the Irish Hare.
When the abuse of a wild animal is believed to be a vital cog in protecting the environment and its wildlife then it time to fire up barbecue for panda steaks.
The Wild Bird Declarations was recently signed in to law.
This allows for the killing of birds like magpie, rook, jackdaw, wood pigeon and herring gull under the spurious reason that these birds represent a threat to public health or safety or that they have the avian temerity to cast a beady eye over crops.
This death by firearm lasts until April 2023 which will please those who espouse the view that’ if it flies, it dies’.
If the political will is not there then the view of the vast majority of Irish people who want wildlife to exist without interference from those who wish to abuse and kill it is not being converted into legislative action.
For the hare, the fox, the badger and birds of sky, shore and ditch, the only climate change they want is political.
Until Ireland’s political class embrace the view that wildlife protection is an integral part of the campaign to protect and enhance biodiversity then Ireland can dismount from its climate justice soapbox and go to bed without any vegan supper.
Yours,
John Tierney
Campaigns Director
Association of Hunt Saboteurs, PO Box 4734, Dublin 1
Dear Editor,
Plans outlined by the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly on 27th July to ban pro-life vigils outside abortion providing facilities represents a severe danger to fundamental rights of freedom of expression and of assembly.
This was even recognised by Minister Donnelly in February when he told the Seanad in February that “We are pushing up against civil liberties when we do this.”
This would set a precedent for banning events of a certain moral, ethical or political viewpoint.
Harassment and intimidation are already crimes, and the Garda Commissioner himself stated in September 2019 that existing public order laws are sufficient to deal with any such cases should they ever arise.
The Government’s proposal amounts to a smear against pro-life citizens, who make up at least one-third of the electorate.
At a Seanad appearance in February 2022, Minister Donnelly openly rejected the advice of the Gardaí and stated he would proceed with these laws regardless.
This undermined their authority and was a reckless statement.
But Minister Donnelly has singled out Together for Safety and heaped praise on their “work” in shaping this legislation.
The Minister appears more interested in listening to this small campaigning group than he does in listening to the expert advice of the Gardaí.
Criminalising pro-life activity in the vicinity of abortion providing facilities is not all about targeting “protesting”.
The experience of women like Alina Dulgheriu risks being airbrushed out.
In February 2019, Alina told the Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group how she received pro-life support outside an abortion clinic at the eleventh hour which prompted her to rethink her decision and instead of an abortion to have her daughter.
Such experiences should not be ignored.
Yours sincerely,
Eilís Mulroy
Pro Life Campaign
24 Mount Street Upper
Dublin 2.
Dear Editor,
The announcement by AIB in recent weeks of the withdrawal of cash services from 70 of its branches across the country came as a hammer blow to the communities impacted.
The subsequent reversal of that decision, following a huge public outcry and significant political pressure, will not in any way have assuaged the concerns of those affected.
Not alone was there a lack of consideration of and consultation with the communities impacted, to make the decision to withdraw these services at a time when the Department of Finance is carrying out a comprehensive review of the Retail Banking Sector is bewildering.
With the pending withdrawal of KBC and Ulster Bank from the Irish retail banking landscape, there is a clear lack of competition within the market.
The three remaining ‘pillar’ banks are a powerful force, and in a position to be selective in relation to both the services they provide and the manner in which they provide those services.
It goes without saying that the maximisation of profits for their shareholders will be the key determinant in both regards.
The direction of travel of the banking sector is clear.
It is away from the community physically, ethically, and culturally.
There is, however, a real alternative.
One which aims to serve the needs of all, including the most vulnerable. One which, by its ethos and culture, acts in the best interests of its customers and the communities it serves.
Credit unions are an essential part of the financial and the social fabric of the country.
As member-owned, community based, not-for profit financial institutions, credit unions are ideally positioned to play an enhanced role in providing a wider range of services and supports to consumers and SMEs throughout Ireland.
Across the country, in more than 470 locations, credit unions are working collaboratively to enhance the services they provide.
They continue to not only ‘digitise’ their current services, including the introduction of full online membership and loan application solutions, but to also introduce new services such as mortgages, ‘green’ loans and full-service current accounts.
While reacting to members’ needs by enhancing their digital services, there is a clear understanding of the critical importance of retaining ‘face-to-face’ engagement and in delivering the unrivalled member service, for which credit unions are famous.
For credit unions to bring additional choice to the retail banking sector, they need a more flexible, enabling legislative and regulatory framework.
An overhaul of the regulatory requirements including lending limits, liquidity limits and regulatory capital requirements is required to enable credit unions to realise their full potential and bring much needed diversity for consumers.
Credit unions offer a clear alternative of democratised, community-based finance.
It is imperative that their essential role in Ireland’s socioeconomic fabric must not only be protected but unleashed to its fullest potential. Irish consumers and local communities deserve no less.
David Malone,
CEO,
Irish League of Credit Unions
Dear Editor,
I see that Michael Healy Rae TD has stoutly defended hare coursing in a radio debate, saying it’s a cherished part of Irish rural life, and that hares captured for coursing are well treated.
The fact that something has come down to us from our ancestors is hardly a convincing enough reason to preserve it. I can think of many traditions and practices that we’ve ditched, including industrial schools and Magdalene laundries; that might have seemed acceptable in a murky past.
Though it was a radio debate I imagine the Kerry politician had a wistful faraway look in his eye when he spoke of the wonderful tender love and care lavished on hares by coursing clubs.
Unfortunately, hares do not fare well in coursing. Some are mauled; others have their bones crushed by the larger and faster animals chasing them. Others get tossed up into the air like broken toys.
And even hares that escape physically unscathed can die afterwards in the wild from Capture Myopathy, a condition affecting some wild creatures that have been subjected to an extremely stressful ordeal.
If coursing clubs love hares, as the Deputy claimed, they have a strange way of showing it, and if hares enjoy coursing, as its advocates often claim, I wonder why they scream like babies when the dogs strike them at high speed or inflict other injuries.
Deputy Healy Rae also reminded listeners that animals are knocked down by cars every day of the week. True, but that doesn’t make hare coursing any less cruel. Any more than the fact that dogs and badger salso die on our roads could be used to defend dog fighting or badger baiting.
Kerry has so much going for it: incomparable scenery, lovely pubs and guest houses, and colourful politicians like the Healy Raes. But hare coursing, a relic of a dark and barbarous past, adds nothing to its appeal.
It is a stain on the landscape and a disgrace to humanity.
Thanking you,
John Fitzgerald