Category: Letters to the Irish Times

Sir, – Yesterday morning, Mykhailo from Ukraine, who uses our service, had wished us “Happy International Women’s Day” when he called to say his mother has safely reached these shores.

Having earlier read “National Women’s Council has done itself a lot of damage” (Anne Harris, Opinion & Analysis, March 8th), the following comment resonated with me: “What is deeply troubling for lifelong feminists is that what was once a very pluralist women’s council is now a ‘protest’ platform requiring a homogeneity of ideas associated with certain political parties.”

En route to work yesterday morning in a bus driven by another Anne, a great woman, we wished each other “Happy International Women’s Day”, knowing that we both meant what we said sincerely. However, we were aware that many women would feel excluded today from the national conversation and the hype surrounding it.

The National Women’s Council is heavily funded by our Government through the taxpayer, and it raises the question if other umbrella groups claiming to speak on behalf of everyone could so easily become exclusive. – Yours, etc,

ALICE LEAHY,

Director of Services,

Alice Leahy Trust,

Dublin 8.

Link

Sir, – “Ireland’s justice and health systems are failing people in the prison system who are mentally ill” according to the report published by the Mental Health Commission (November 15th).

Having spent a number of years visiting all prisons in this State as a member of the Sentence Review Group, and witnessed the number of reports written over that time, I can state with respect that it is not a new phenomenon.

Working with people who are homeless for nearly half a century, we continue to see people struggling to cope with serious mental health issues, so often ending up in Garda stations, the only door open to them.

We have heard some people say prison offered them a welcome respite, in this day and age we should and must do better. Prison continues to be a dumping ground for so many of society’s problems that should be addressed, long before imprisonment takes place.

I have met so many committed healthcare workers, prison staff and others working in various disciplines, not forgetting the struggling relatives who have often felt themselves isolated in a bureaucratic world when they attempt to describe their difficulties and seek help and support.

Some readers will remember the much publicised Care in the Community of some years back, it was never properly planned or resourced and remains a mirage.

What we witness still is a reminder of how we dealt with problems in the recent past and with the assurances that it could never happen again. All sections of society have a role to play in acknowledging and addressing this very serious problem. Everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.

– Yours, etc,

ALICE LEAHY,

Director of Services,

Alice Leahy Trust,

Dublin 8.

 

Link to the Irish Times here

 

Sir, – Michael McDowell always manages to pose important questions and challenges the reader to look outside the box. His article “Is there room for another political party?” (Opinion & Analysis, October 13th) should surely lead to debate. From what I hear daily from my interaction with people from all sections of society, he is not alone in asking that question.

Groupthink is flourishing, leading as it does to poor-quality decision making, with many voices being excluded. Our democracy needs to be understood and valued and this can only happen when people realise that their contribution can make a difference.

Groupthink, supported by corporate language, has conspired to silence alternative voices in so many areas of public life. – Yours, etc,

ALICE LEAHY,

Director of Services,

Dublin 8.

A chara, – Michael McDowell asks “Is there room for another political party?”.

He’s been there. He’s done that. Let him reflect on his T-shirt. – Is mise,

EOGHAN MacCORMAIC,

Cill Chríost,

Co na Gaillimhe.

 

Link to the Irish Times here