I read Dr Gallagher’s letter taking Jake O’Kane to task for suggesting that taking Covid vaccine be made compulsory. Dr Gallagher is right, there will always be people with good medical reasons for not being able to take a vaccine. Curiously, although critical in tone, his letter actually supports Jake’s case. Clearly, the bigger the group of individuals that he listed of those unable to take a vaccine, then all the more important, that those who can, do so. If not, the minimum level for survival (ie herd immunity) might never be attained and our community will be permanently at risk from Covid-19.
Naturally people have concerns about these vaccines, and of course every drug has side effects. I appreciate how difficult such decisions are, especially for parents of young children, but all one can do is act on the best advice available and I don’t mean social media. Unlike Michael Gove, I trust experts, otherwise who do you believe – him, Johnson or Trump? I will take any vaccine offered and if this becomes one of the largest drug trials in history, well I am happy to participate, especially if it helps my fellow citizens including my children, grandson and those of others.
Where I really disagree with Dr Gallagher is his simplistic reference to democracy to challenge Jake. Sure, we are all entitled to democratic, human rights, but not without limits. A famous American judge, referring to freedom of speech, noted there were also responsibilities such as not shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre. The problem with individuals exercising their right not to wear a mask, or take a vaccine, is that the results are not solely personal, it affects others as well.
I doubt that any democratic government will invoke a draconian mass injection scheme, but that does not mean such steps may not be necessary in the future. I think ultimately, the market will solve the problem. We may need to debate these issues, and fairly soon. If so, I believe Jake will be on the right side of it. Interestingly, courtesy of Covid we might now have a better idea which MLAs we want to speak and act for us, time will tell.
FRANK HENNESSEY
Belfast BT9
RTÉ apologising for ‘rape joke’ is an empty gesture
I welcome that RTÉ has apologised for the grossly offensive NYE Countdown Show broadcast on the night of New Year’s Eve. In an effort at cheap laughs the programme delivered a sketch in which God was accused of raping a migrant girl, Mary. The sketch was completely offensive to millions of practising Christians in Ireland. It is inaccurate according to any book of faith. It makes little of sexual crime at a time when it is a real, serious and prevalent issue for so many.
It is hard to believe that RTÉ would deliver such an offensive sketch targeted at any other religion.
At a time when Christians are being targeted, attacked and killed all over the world, this is not acceptable.
Ireland is a pluralist republic. That diversity is part of the richness of Ireland – all our citizens to be allowed to be who they are to the full extent without having to hide. Yet this casual discrimination and continuous ridicule against many who hold the Christian faith dear is creating a chilling effect pushing religious expression into the closet. This is wrong and the material should be removed from the RTÉ Player.
BECKY KEALY
Aontú, Cork North West
Audacious comment
So Colum Eastwood opines Brexit will pave the way to a united Ireland.
Another audacious comment like Arlene Foster’s ‘red line is blood line’ and Leo Varadkar’s ‘the EU is looking after Ireland’s interests.
With the ‘help’ of EU president Ursula Von der Leyden, who made the French climb down from their absurd demands and
Chancellor Angela Merkel the Brexit negotiating team worked out the agreement to their mutual satisfaction. Ireland and its border with less than 1 per cent of the European population was not a significant factor.
What is significant is the EU’s determination and which Germany’s president of the Bundestag parliament, Wolfgang Schaeuble, confirmed is to align fiscal and budget policies. This will centralise the EU to such an extent that not only national governments but even the nations themselves will become a thing of the past, at least in all practical and legal senses.
The border in Ireland has been used as a political pawn for the past century by both sides of the community, hopefully we are hearing its
death knell.
WILSON BURGESS
Derry City
Phantom dog poo offenders
The shorter days with darker mornings and evenings lead to more phantom dog poo offenders. There doesn’t seem to be a street that isn’t affected somehow, with increasing complaints we’re receiving from residents. For something so simply dealt with and so preventable, it really depresses me that for every responsible dog owner so many people have to put up with the laziness of other dog owners who consistently fail to pick up after their pet.
Before Christmas Chris Lyttle MLA, Cllr Sian Mulholland and myself spent lunchtime with pupils from Braniel Primary School who are so sick and tired of the amount of fresh dog poo they come across on their Daily Mile, they decided to get in touch with us to tell us just how bad the problem was.
The passion and ideas coming from the fantastic P7 pupils we met should shame the adults who leave their dog’s poo on the pavement for these kids to walk around.
So, if you’re a phantom dog poo offender, do your community some good and pick it up.
ROSS McMULLAN
Alliance, Belfast City Council
Well done Antrim
After watching the Antrim hurling team win the Joe McDonagh Cup Final on RTÉ, I want to express my disgust and disappointment that even though the following match was not being played for approximately 40 minutes later, RTÉ could not even wait to let us hear the speech from the Antrim captain.
Well done Antrim.
Proud of you.
PÁRAIGIN CÁOMAHANCH
Béal Feirste BT11
