Letters: Everyone must pull together to make our capital a safer place for all

At YMCA Dublin, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to belong to secure and connected communities.

We at YMCA Dublin are committed to fostering a safe and caring community that values inclusion, acceptance and responsibility. In times like these, it becomes even more crucial for us to stand together as a caring community in support of one another. Inclusion is not just a goal for us – it is an absolute priority.

Earlier this year, I wrote a letter for World Day for Cultural Diversity, acknowledging that we as a country need to work harder at embracing Ireland as a multicultural society and urging everyone to do their part to help bridge the gap between cultures and live together in harmony. I am deeply concerned that exactly six months later, these senseless actions in the city centre have taken place.

As a society, we need to continue to work towards creating a space where everyone feels welcome, respected and safe. Together we can build a community that thrives on the principles of understanding, compassion and unity.

Dublin is our community, so we need to pull together to make it a safe place for everyone.

Kathryn O’Mahony, YMCA Dublin

Government’s shambolic response to street rioting will not soon be forgotten

Ireland has come a long way since I came of age in the late 1990s. We are now a more inclusive, diverse, tolerant, cosmopolitan and, arguably, grown-up society.

Among our western European counterparts, we had the lowest number of foreign-born people living here in 1998. Today we are on a par with Sweden, with around 20pc of our population having been born abroad. This is ahead of the UK, France and Germany, all hovering around 14pc.

As a small, open economy, this has brought us many benefits. The vast majority of new arrivals have come here to work and start new lives. They bring new perspectives and inject vibrancy and vitality into our cultural landscape, and for that we should be thankful. But there are many challenges too, particularly since the financial crash.

A combination of budget cuts, austerity, inflation, mismanagement of our health and housing sectors and increased numbers of asylum-seekers and refugees has created a sort of perfect storm of disaffection and malcontent among certain elements.

Many communities feel put upon by the number of people seeking international protection who are shoe-horned into their towns, villages and neighbourhoods, often in already disadvantaged areas with scant public services and amenities.

For many in the squeezed middle and marginalised, lower-income communities, the social contract appears to have broken down. The Government no longer appears to listen to or care about us. It is more concerned with kowtowing to Brussels and its corporate masters in Big Tech, finance and industry and the enabling of our previously bankrupt developer class.

Notwithstanding the hijacking of public outrage by a small minority of mindless thugs, the vast majority of Irish people have taken note of the Government’s shambolic response. Our only hope now is that we who did not take to the streets make sure our voices are heard at the ballot box.

Paddy Sharkey, Hollywood, Co Wicklow

Dáil privilege was abused when photo of ‘vulnerable person’ was waved about

To see a photo of a “vulnerable person” waved around the Dáil for political gain is a new low at a time when our capital city is hurting and so many people are working hard to help it heal.

Dáil privilege is gifted to a small number by virtue of their election and should never be abused. It was clearly abused in this instance.

It is worth noting that Christmas is open season to photograph “homeless people”, often for fundraising purposes and without their permission, unaware of the hurt it causes to families. Human rights are for all.

Alice Leahy, Alice Leahy Trust, Dublin 8

With cognitive alertness, you can still contribute greatly despite old age

When are you too old for a job? Many people, including the mainstream media, feel it is inappropriate for people in their 80s to be given major responsibilities or hold important posts.

US president Joe Biden is a typical example where the focus is often on his age while virtually ignoring the contempt his rival has for democracy.

As someone in their early 80s who might be slowing down physically, I have the same cognitive alertness as I had 30 or 40 years ago. This includes the ability to collaborate, interact with others, solve problems, generate ideas, mix abstract thinking with logical reasoning skills and communicate effectively online.

It seems that as long as you have cognitive alertness, you are capable of doing a job, irrespective of age.

Eddie O Mahony, Tramore, Co Waterford

FAI should accept US deal and stop going cap in hand to hard-pressed taxpayers

The FAI reportedly rejected a multi- million euro deal from an Irish-led US consortium that would entail commercial control.

Once the word “commercial” is mentioned, it means Paddy/Patricia will pay for all.

This is a league presiding over risible transfer fees for players crossing the water – €200,000 is considered a coup. Perhaps the League of Ireland should copy what the Dutch, Norwegian and Danish leagues did years ago and get serious about their product.

In 1993, Henning Berg moved from Norway to Blackburn for £400,000. Since then, players from Scandinavia have moved for massive fees to England. Their product, standard and facilities dwarf us here.

Maybe it’s time for the Government to hint to the FAI that the American deal might be the best they can get. The days of a cap-in-hand approach to the taxpayer here are over.

John Cuffe, Co Meath

Being told ‘No’ as a child was most meaningful bit of psychological advice

When I was a young child: the best and most meaningful psychological advice I got from my parents was a firm “No”, which was to be repeated only once.

In truth, it left no mental scars, and I think I ended up a well-adjusted adult (my opinion).

Dr Aidan Hampson, Artane, Dublin