Journalists

Nawtin wrong with talking proper on air 

Sir - Reading Gay Byrne's comments re 'news' being pronounced as 'nooze', etc, was a reminder that Gay was always an advocate of 'talking proper'.

Remember Donal's message 

Sir - With the inspirational and life-enhancing Darkness Into Light walk coming up, I think about suicide... about how it kills good people, kills hope, creates grief beyond words for those left behind.

Infertility aid would increase birth rate 

Sir - I would like to comment on Philip Ryan's article (Sunday Independent, April 15) about Minister Katherine Zappone's introduction of 'baby boxes' to all parents of newborn babies in our maternity hospitals.

Restrictions don't reduce abortion rate 

Sir - Restrictions to abortion do not reduce the rate of abortions. In other words, the Eighth Amendment has not saved any lives. The recent 'Abortion Worldwide 2017' study shows that abortion occurs as frequently in the two most restrictive regimes as the two least restrictive regimes.

Heroism shows how world must face evil 

Sir - Lieutenant Colonel Arnaud Beltrame has made the ultimate sacrifice representing the uniform which he wore with pride. In saving a life [in last month's jihadist attack in France] by forfeiting his own, he has saved many others by showing the whole world how to behave in the face of terror.

True cost of €4bn bill for landlords 

Sir - I want to respond to Philip Ryan's article on government spending on housing supplements (Sunday Independent, June 3).

Abdicating responsibility 

Sir - The chronic need for the provision of public toilets in Dublin is an appalling indictment of past and present city councillors who like to project Dublin as a modern European capital city.

Catching the teaching bug 

Sir - I always detested the word retirement and have given it a wide, wide berth - way off over the dim horizon…

Life after the Leaving Cert 

Sir - May I join your excellent columnist, Dr Ciara Kelly (Living, Sunday Independent, May 13), in giving some advice to the many parents of children who will be sitting their Leaving Cert in the next week or so? I am well into my 60s and I still have nightmares about sitting mine.

Private stories that shouldn't be told 

Sir - It was 2013. I was sitting watching my one-year-old son playing, while I was having a miscarriage. This was day three. It was an early one, nothing very dramatic. I went to work the next day and the Early Pregnancy Unit the day after to check it was all gone, and that was it. It was a period with a few clots and a flush of the toilet. No funeral, no burial, I could've dreamt it. It was a sad experience, but manageable.

Money does not buy the best education 

Sir - I agree wholeheartedly with the majority of Eilis O'Hanlon's sentiments on the privilege of private schools and their questionable receipt of government money for such luxuries as the resurfacing of all-weather hockey pitches (Sunday Independent, March 25).

Raising a glass on Good Friday 

Sir - Pubs will open again on Good Friday after a 90-year-old ban on the sale of alcohol on that day was lifted. Removal of the ban was inevitable in an increasingly secular Ireland where Good Friday is a normal working day and where religious practice is now based on conviction rather than obligation.

Abortion is part of women's healthcare 

Sir - Cattle farmers have crisis pregnancies in their herds from time to time. If they decide that they do not want the pregnancy to continue, they call the vet. The vet might administer a drug such as Estrumate to abort the pregnancy.

Misguided papal misogyny 

Sir - I agree with Mary McAleese: it's high time that the walls of misogyny in the Catholic Church came tumbling down.

Well done for snow advice 

Sir - I wish to highly compliment and congratulate Met Eireann personnel, the National Emergency Co-ordination Committee, all our emergency services and media outlets for their excellent work, judgment and professionalism over the past few days in bringing us all the advice and details relating to the very serious snow storm.

Lifting Good Friday booze ban helps to hollow out our country 

So the Good Friday alcohol ban is to be lifted. Cue great jubilation and party planning nationwide. For 91 years we have suffered and suffered greatly.

O'Brien lulling us into false sense of security on the economy 

I would like to reply to Dan O'Brien regarding his article about the present economic situation in which he said there is no evidence that technology eliminates jobs ('Ignore the doomsayers - there is little evidence of robots taking over our jobs', Irish Independent, January 18).

Women have power in the polling booths 

Sir - Dealing with gender inequality Eilis O'Hanlon (Sunday Independent, January 14) declared that "government should focus on real-life problems faced by real women".

If you ban sign of peace, then outlaw hand shake in GAA as well 

In the past few weeks, there have been different directives by bishops in Ireland in relation to the issue of some parishioners shaking hands as a 'sign of peace' at Mass during the serious outbreak of influenza.

Donal Barrington's legacy 

Sir - I thoroughly enjoyed Eoghan Harris's tribute to the late Donal Barrington (Sunday Independent, January 7). Mr Harris gives a riveting account of one particular aspect of Mr Barrington's career, namely the visionary role he played in highlighting the awfulness of the "ill-conceived and ill-considered" boycott of the tiny Protestant community in Fethard-on-Sea in 1957.

McElduff's insult to memory of innocent men is unforgivable 

As I lie here in bed in Letterkenny General Hospital reading the Irish Independent, it sickens me to the core when I look at the photograph of Sinn Féin MP Barry McElduff with a loaf of Kingsmill bread on his head.

Assessing Trump's health won't lead to a radical prescription 

The comments about US President Donald Trump's health, both physical and mental, are concerning. A lot of print space has been devoted to it and the possible ramifications, but little to the level of other reporting.

'Hospital bosses are completely out of touch,' writes man left waiting 11 hours in a wheelchair in stretched A and E 

In a recent blog posted on the Cork University Hospital (CUH) website, the CEO, Tony McNamara, suggests the INMO's figures of patients on trolleys are misleading and calls for a more "honest debate" on the issue. Mr McNamara says: "Many patients are appropriately on trolleys in assessment units in our hospitals awaiting a decision as to whether they need to be admitted or not."

We may have a health crisis - but there's still love with no limits 

It was a busy morning, about 8.30am, when an elderly man in his 80s arrived at the hospital to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9am.

Brexit is war, not a nervous breakdown 

Sir - Some of Colm McCarthy's statements (Sunday Independent, December 31) in relation to Brexit and the EU are open to challenge.

The machinations of a school bully played out on a global scale 

The definitive narrative in the Abrahamic faith traditions centres around the notion of salvation. The Christian and Jewish traditions, in particular, place great emphasis on the idea that salvation will emerge from the least likely quarters.

If 'yes' and 'no' are redundant, how are we to indicate consent? 

We have been informed that Children's Minister Katherine Zappone is in favour of introducing a course which includes sexual consent classes aimed at 16-year-olds in secondary schools (Irish Independent, December 30). Of course, it is inconceivable that the course would not lay heavy emphasis on the fact that the age of sexual consent in Ireland is 17 years.

Emotions of Christmas 

Sir - Brendan O'Connor (Sunday Independent, December 24) does the State and its citizens a truly worthy service by illuminating the authentic enduring Christian magic and emotional nuances of Christmas, as it was and how it should/could still be. Highlighting, with a compelling personal candour, his raft of seminal pre-Christmas experiences at various concerts and church services (including the stunning inspiration of a funeral with its powerful community essence and generosity of spirit abounding).

Fr Flannery is right - the Church is eroding its own authority 

Fr Tony Flannery (Irish Independent, December 23) is correct when he says of the Christmas story: "It is a beautiful story, but it is a mythical account of the birth of Jesus, not a historical one" and "for too long [the Church] presented the Christmas story as historical reality".

Giving people their dreams 

Sir - It is with a genuine lump in my throat and a tear in my eye that I think of all the children who will not have a home for Christmas.

Fake news makes writing and reasoning more vital than ever 

The art of letter writing is apparently a dying one, although it should be one that is encouraged, especially in this era of fake news and opinion sent out by some tweeting twits and the (un)social media that so wastefully occupies the time of our youth, and too many other citizens.

Good to revel in EU support this time 

Sir - Jody Corcoran states (Sunday Independent, December 10) that: "Ireland was used by the European Union, though, to flush out the UK position somewhat, which has been exposed to be as threadbare as most experts have always felt it to be."

Ireland will have no other option but to join an EU army 

It was refreshing to read Ray Kinsella on why Ireland should play no part in an EU army (Irish Independent, December 15).

Give what you can this Christmas, it'll turn a frown into a smile 

What does Christmas mean in Ireland today? It means a lot of different things to a lot of different people in an increasingly multicultural and less Godly society.

Scepticism on allegations 

Sir - In Eilis O'Hanlon's good and well-balanced article (Sunday Independent, December 3) regarding the findings of Mr Justice Charleton's interim report relating to Garda Keith Harrison, she rightly points out that Mr Justice Charleton dismissed all the allegations, concluding that: "All of the allegations of Garda Keith Harrison and Marisa Simms examined by the tribunal are entirely without any validity."

How to solve the current Brexit turmoil in four simple steps 

After the recent turmoil within the Brexit process, it is appropriate that we be reminded of the milestones and highlights which took us to where we are today, and that we also take a look at possible future scenarios.

While bosses are paid €130,000, charities won't get my refund 

I view with reservation the call from a number of charities to consider donating some, if not all, of the water charges refund money to a worthy cause.

Tom and the joy of reading 

Sir — As an avid reader, I thoroughly enjoyed Tom McCaughren’s beautiful article about books (Sunday Independent, November 26). I appreciate that social media is now all pervasive, but it’s hard to beat the satisfaction of reading a captivating book. Between the covers of a book, readers of all ages are exposed to adventure, excitement, anticipation, knowledge and information. Regular reading stirs the imagination, arouses curiosity and inspires creativity. With a book in your hand you’re in good company.

Politicians care about their own positions, not the real issues 

It would appear that the only thing Irish politicians are good at is fighting elections - it's after they have been elected that they fail miserably.

Fiasco was started in UK 

Sir - Brendan O'Connor's article (Sunday Independent, November 17) has scored a goal, or should I say, a try, in this post-soccer era, by reminding those of us who read the Sunday Independent, but not that 'rag of rags' the UK edition of The Sun, that it had the effrontery to call our Taoiseach, a 'Brexit Buffoon' who should 'shut his gob on Brexit and grow up'.

No apologies for our stance to those who caused Brexit chaos 

The vote for Brexit by the UK electorate is turning out to be a very significant historical occurrence in UK, European and especially Irish terms.

We may have lost out, but World Cup bid was great collaboration 

The understandable disappointment of failing to win the right to host RWC 2023 runs the risk of overlooking a very important fact.

Defeat? Let's get over it 

Sir - I felt for the Irish players who woke up last Wednesday morning after such a comprehensive defeat.

O'Neill and Keane have done us proud - and should be lauded 

The recent criticism of the Irish team management of Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane, and the tactics employed in the recent away World Cup play off in Copenhagen against Denmark, was way over the top. These two passionate football men learned their trade under those wonderful coaches, the late Brian Clough, at Nottingham Forest, and later with the great Alex Ferguson, at Manchester United, over many years.

A proud day at the track 

Sir — There are sports where Ireland can compete at the highest level. I’m thinking about boxing, golf, rugby union, athletics, equestrian sports and maybe cycling, plus a few more. However, I believe that horse racing is where we not only compete at the highest level, but excel and lead the field, if you’ll pardon the pun.

Workers who 'get up early' losing patience with public transport 

I seem to recall Leo Varadkar mentioning he was an admirer of people who "get up early" and go to work. Well, I wonder if he is aware that there are about 150,000 of those workers who are quickly losing any admiration they may have had for him and his Transport Minister, Shane Ross.

Full steam ahead to a brave new world of gender equality 

I can hear grown men howling - "Get your hands off my Thomas!"

Plausible sounding experts 

Sir - Brendan O'Connor complains about marketing experts having too much influence over our Government (The country is being run by "experts" full of guff, Sunday Independent, October 29). This is no doubt the case, but it is hardly a new problem.

Cut to mortgage relief was brutal - and won't be forgotten 

The Taoiseach promised a break for the working classes, who pay for everything, including welfare for the unemployed, etc.

'Send in the Clowns' the perfect Requiem for Brexit ceremony 

Any day now Theresa May and Jean-Claude Juncker will want a suitable Requiem to bury Brexit. If they choose to do it with some ceremony, they could do worse than 'channel' the spirit of Frank Sinatra. In 1973 (the year the UK joined the EEC) the old crooner topped the charts with 'Send in the Clowns'. The theme of the ballad was a very painful and costly divorce between two old lovers.

We've never trusted banks 

Sir ­- Leo Varadkar said "it will take a long time for the public to regain trust in the banks" because of the tracker mortgage scandal. What trust?

Problem of the banks goes much deeper than tracker scandal 

Much of the criticism of the tracker mortgage scandal is hypocritical and ignores the fact that the questionable and damaging decisions are much wider in their consequences than that particular issue.

Had Humphries been on the dole, he'd have got 10 years in jail 

Tom Humphries deserves equal and fair treatment from the judicial system. This has not happened. The very things that mitigated him getting a soft sentence, ie. being a pillar of society, his penmanship, his job, his status, all of those should have been factors that saw a stiffer sentence imposed.

We are getting incomplete information in abortion debate 

Dr Peter Boylan's contribution to the Oireachtas committee on the Eighth Amendment appears to have been one of the more aggressive and arrogant versions of the recent 'Trust me, I'm a doctor' efforts.

The homeless need care all the time, not just when a storm hits 

There has been a lot of talk recently about "the homeless" or "the rough sleepers", and at first I thought this was good sign. We are becoming more aware, I thought. But using labels and numbers and statistics over and over again has done nothing but normalise the situation.

Stop pussyfooting around scoundrel bankers and punish them 

"It blowed away, it blowed away; All the crops that I've planted blowed away; You can't grow any grain if you ain't got any rain; All except the mortgage blowed away." Pete Seeger wrote the above, Bruce Springsteen gave it meaning. He called it 'My Oklahoma Home'.

Church's survival does not depend on its entertainment value 

Michael Kelly's article on the state of the Catholic Church in Ireland (Irish Independent, October 13), arising from Paul Melia's analysis of the Census 2016, is concise and, in some respects, hits the nail on the head. However, as its approach is basically secular, it doesn't get to the kernel of the matter, especially regarding the Catholic Church.

Silence no longer an option 

TD Clare Daly stated a simple and undeniable fact when she said: "No one of a present reproductive age has had a chance to vote on this matter."

Rent costs are crushing small businesses and destroying towns 

As I walk around my home town my gaze falls upon the many empty and derelict buildings which line our Main Street; to which I am both horrified and angry. Those idle buildings once laid foundation to a buzzing and enterprising town.

Women can confront 'misogyny of the State' next time they vote 

The 'bonkers' situation in which women lose out on their pensions because they stayed at home rearing their families is down to "downright misogyny of the State", according to Ann Cahill in her contribution to the Budget debate (Irish Independent, October 12).

Bruton should keep his nose out of UK's democratic decision 

Our former Taoiseach John Bruton appears to see himself as the Irish version of Tony Blair, telling everyone in Britain they "must" stay inside the EU, regardless of the democratic vote which told John and Tony that Britain is leaving.

Talk of 'rights' in debate about the Eighth leads to confusion 

The American penchant for the possession and use of guns is underpinned by the so-called 'right' to bear arms. This 'right' is given a quasi-religious ring to it in the suggestion that it is enshrined in the American constitution. More bizarrely, it is sometimes referred to as 'a God-given right'.

Unlike Nevada, strict gun laws here are a credit to our country 

While discussing the Las Vegas mass murders with a friend during the week, I stated that it was beyond belief that Stephen Paddock was able to stockpile so many weapons without needing a gun licence in the state of Nevada.

The gesture of a great man 

Sir - Returning from a mission overseas, I heard of the tragic death of a child. One of the youngest of a large family. The father of this child had also died tragically while on overseas duty with United Nations the previous year. He died on Christmas Eve.

Cosgrave and Lynch stopped slaughter in Northern Ireland 

One Sunday in August 1969, when tensions were rising in Northern Ireland, British PM Harold Wilson "imagined" he had the immediate answer to end British involvement there.

Deafening silence on heavy-handed tactics in Spain 

Yesterday's independence vote in Catalonia resulted in over 700 people being injured due to the Spanish government's heavy-handed prevention of voting stations being used by the Catalan public.

Footballers' responsibilities 

Sir - As someone who was involved in Gaelic football most of my life, I completely disagree with Alan Brogan's article (Sport, Sunday Independent, September 24) which condoned the behaviour of the Dublin players in the last minutes of their All-Ireland final against Mayo.

Trump left his creditors high and dry - but he can't do that to US 

Donald Trump has plans to reduce the tax rates of US corporations and wealthy individuals.

Save the GAA referee the ire of fans by embracing technology 

For many Irish people and for the wider Irish diaspora, the All-Ireland finals, hurling or football, will be the highlight of their sporting year - filled with excitement, expectation and anticipation. Being a hurling fan, the missing of a final, in Croke Park or on the TV, would leave a void in my life.

Plight of elderly over nursing home costs 

Sir - Congratulations on publishing your front cover story and full-length feature (Sunday Independent, September 17) on extra charges levied by many nursing homes on ''Fair Deal'' (FD) residents.

Getting priorities right on ethnic cleansing in Myanmar 

I must respond to your columnist Ian O'Doherty's absurd claim that Amnesty International has somehow been quiet about the serious human rights abuses taking place in Myanmar.

Modern age girls rude enough to make a navvy blush 

It is hard to let go of the Hook fiasco. The subject matter is as meaty as an Easter feast. My head is swirling with conflicting opinions and I am anxious to sort this miasma to the satisfaction of my moral sensibilities.

Ryanair a phenomenon, but passengers need fair treatment too 

If an airline escapes having to pay compensation provided it gives passengers two weeks' notice of cancellation, this is clearly unsatisfactory from a number of points of view:

Sign of the times as Hook left swimming against the tide 

There is a sign at a swimming cove in Tramore that says "Men Only". This sign comes with an apology underneath that it does not intend to cause offence, only remind us of a time, long since gone by. Both the locals and visitors are not upset by this signage and are somewhat amused by its outdated message.

Garda chief's pension package is a disgrace 

Sir - I read that ex-Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan is to receive a €300,000 lump sum and then €90,000 a year for the rest of her life as a pension.

Driven to despair by lack of warnings over roadwork disruption 

I was driving out of Dublin on Saturday evening around 8pm on the M7 at 120kph, and suddenly I had to drop anchor and hope to God the car would stop in time.

Garda ethos must change to alter how it is perceived 

A policeman's lot is not a happy one, went a line in a famed Gilbert and Sullivan opera. A catchy tune and a sentiment shared by many.

Dull Familiar Drumming 

Sir - It was with surprise, and pleasure, to see Ruth Dudley Edwards begin her column (Sunday Independent, September 3) by reprinting some lines of my 1991 poem, The Dull Familiar Drumming.

Wellington was not all bad - he did 'heal wounds of this country' 

Kim Bielenberg ('Embracing our own horrible history with pillars of the past', Irish Independent, August 29) is not the first to question memorials to the 'Iron Duke' of Wellington, principally because of disobliging remarks he made about this nation, as he did about a lot of other people, including his wife and his soldiers.

Honouring Diana's memory 

Sir - Over the past few weeks there have been a number of programmes on TV coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana.

Argument against national identity card is already obsolete 

I am surprised by the criticism towards national identity cards that was shown throughout your paper (Irish Independent, August 30), with the issue not helped with error given as fact.

Stop treating us like chaff - and do your dictionary homework 

It's time that the ridiculous, if not also patronising and ignorant, response of Regina Doherty was thrown back in her face and a literate answer be demanded of her; if she is not capable of this, she should resign to spend more time with her dictionary.

Government should have seen school bus scandal approaching 

Recently I tweeted: "Does anything work in Ireland?" I cited banking, building, political and police scandals. I didn't count the HSE, hospitals, and housing. I was shocked by the reaction and the addition of other national malfunctions.

Couple's help represented very best of what Ireland has to offer 

Seated in Dublin Airport, I reflect upon the past eight days spent in Ireland.

Gentle process of courting 

Sir - Teenagers keep their distance in the cautious new world of dating and sex, writes Niamh Horan (Sunday Independent, August 20).

Dystopian future? I'd bank on mankind's ingenuity to win out 

I was pleased to read Dan O'Brien's debunking of your regular contributor Padraig Neary's theory of finite economic growth (Irish Independent, August 24). Mr Neary has submitted well written letters on the theme of peak demand, suggesting growth opportunities will taper off in future.

DUP was spooked into engineering changes in the North 

As we know the Assembly was disestablished in the North by the withdrawal of Sinn Féin. This situation was engineered by the DUP by the refusal of its leader to stand down during the investigation of the cash-for-ash controversy and the unwillingness of the DUP to legislate a very inexpensive Irish language bill, both of which left Sinn Féin no option but to resign to protect its credibility with the electorate.

It is our duty to challenge the wrong moves of those in power 

Would some kind soul try to answer the conundrum of the Border issue in the minds of the politicians of Ireland, the UK and the EU?

Losing medical cards means we are excluded from proper care 

The cancellation of our medical cards has made it clear to my wife and I that the onset of major illness, necessitating hospitalisation or expensive medication to be paid for in full, would unquestionably be beyond our means.

It's a flag of novelty for us, not of hate 

Sir - Back in the 1990s, I remember seeing the Stars and Bars flying in batches from the Blackrock End of Pairc Ui Chaoimh to Hill 16 in Croke Park. No one uttered their disgust. Throughout the 2000s the flags were still seen, along with many others such as Che Guevara, the Rising Sun Flag of Japan and the Stars and Stripes. Only in the past few years, and in the age of social media, are people offended by flags flown on match days by fans from the rebel county.

Fitting reminder of need for humane outlook in troubled times 

On Saturday evening, I was privileged to be in St Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny, as Eva Hoffman - philosopher, scholar, novelist and the Polish-born daughter of Holocaust survivors - addressed an enthralled audience headed by President Michael D Higgins in the annual Hubert Butler Memorial Lecture.

Sales of family homes raise taxing issue that needs addressing 

I am disappointed that there has been such a huge backlash against the proposed capital gains tax (CGT) on the family home. The individual person should not expect to reap the financial reward (in its entirety) due to local infrastructure/population improvements in their local area often funded/supported by the State.

Culture of celebrity taking over airwaves 

Sir - I guess Bruce Arnold (Sunday Independent, August 6) has a point regarding the amount of talk which dominates the RTE radio schedule, but he forgets that the current culture and celebrity fixation ensures that such a formula seems to work as regards maintaining a mass audience. The downturn in advertising is a difficulty that all traditional media are experiencing and would not improve even if a less personality and talk-dominated schedule ensued.

Fairer social welfare system needed for drivers of the economy 

Reading your piece regarding the health effects of the downturn (Irish Independent, August 9), it comes as no surprise to me that rates of stroke and heart attack increased dramatically after the financial crash.

Government should stay neutral and seek peaceful solutions 

The threats being issued by the leaders of US and North Korean governments indicate that the risk of nuclear war is now possibly greater that during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962.

Taxing our family home by 33pc when we die is pure greed 

I read the article on taxing the family home by 33pc when you die or downsize (Irish Independent, August 3), and it came as no surprise. The tax system in Ireland is incredibly greedy, and it is being driven by faceless civil servants who appear to have no idea of what life is like in the normal world. Just who are these people?

Seven seats of influence 

Sir - With no possibility of Sinn Fein moving from its policy of abstention, is it not time for it to consider vacating its seven seats at Westminster, allowing for seven by-elections in Northern Ireland?

Veronica's legacy should be that nation stands up to crime gangs 

May I, through the medium of your widely read newspaper, congratulate RTÉ on their re-run on Wednesday night of the film 'Veronica Guerin' and, more importantly, on the follow-up programme 'Veronica Guerin - a Legacy'.

Not banking on improvements for hard-pressed rural areas 

With the recent announcements of the reduction and withdrawal of services by the banking sector in the regions, the decline of rural Ireland continues unabated.

Myers got it badly wrong - but let's not turn it into a witch hunt 

I am writing in relation to the recent controversy regarding journalist Kevin Myers. Much ink has been spilled on the topic and I am simply adding to the copious amounts already written.

Most pressing debate is on the pay gap between rich and poor 

It is exhausting to have to read through David Quinn's article defending the indefensible.

Blame attached to Cowen for the crash is disproportionate 

It is amusing to read of the public anger and bile arising from the conferring of an honorary degree on former Taoiseach Brian Cowen. Irrespective of his role in the faux Celtic Tiger, it has been a tradition of the NUI to confer this honorary degree on past Taoisigh. Enda Kenny is next in line, having accepted the offer.

Leo is wrong on border... we need to devise, create and own it 

The Taoiseach's comments on Friday that it was not his Government's job to find a solution to a hard border presumably indicate his Government's frustration with the UK's approach to Brexit negotiations. However, he is wrong.

The terrible states of fear 

Sir - I read the article about Dr Randles and the letters in reply (Sunday Independent, July 16 and 23).

We must hold governments accountable for their wrongdoings 

In his outrage at Louis Shawcross pointing out the West has been guilty of self-interest in its political machinations over the last, at least, 60 years or so, Grzegorz Kolodziej (Irish Independent, July 27) falls into the trap of one-sided argument.