I was delighted to see Ian O’Doherty defending older people (‘Older people have not ‘stolen your future’, their only crime was a lifetime of paying tax’, Irish Independent, January 28).
We are in very dangerous territory when our citizens are turning against each other in ways never imagined before. And ageism is rife.
There have always been differences between the generations but it was more than balanced by respect, care, thoughtfulness, good manners and a realisation that one day you too will be old, if you are lucky.
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Older people are easy targets to blame for the country’s current problems. We hear that we are hospital bed blockers and holding on to our homes, thus contributing to the housing shortage. One can hear euthanasia knocking on the door…
The pension debate seems to have brought out the worst in people. Surely young people are intelligent enough to see that anyone working for 40 years plus, paying tax and social welfare contributions, has paid their dues and their entitlement to their pension. That is why it is called a contributory old age pension.
Many over-65s are working away and fit and healthy, contributing and engaging fully in their communities. Many are taking care of grandchildren in order to help their own children pay hefty mortgages. Many are caring for ill or disabled family members.
Oh yes! It’s Easy Street all the way for the oldies! You’ll find out in due course!
Máire Ní Fearghaill
Bothar Bui, Co Mhí
Dart access for wheelchairs an affordable commitment
For not just years but decades there have been sporadic demonstrations about the poor wheelchair access on the Dart.
It is an important issue in itself but also symbolic of the extent to which Irish society genuinely aspires to be inclusive as opposed to giving lip service to the concept.
Therefore I call upon all political parties in advance of the election to make a commitment that if they form part of the new government their first budget will provide funding sufficient to upgrade all Dart stations to be wheelchair accessible.
Also a commitment on an annual basis to provide a budget for maintenance, including a 24-7, on-call contract to ensure lifts are always working in all stations.
Such access would be taken for granted in the capital city of any country calling itself civilised, and in budgetary terms it is a drop in the ocean.
Martin Clynes
Clontarf, Dublin 3
Noone’s comments about Varadkar were disgusting
Leo Varadkar was recently the victim of comments that he was not fit to lead on the basis of not being a family man. He graciously accepted an apology.
To then have Catherine Noone, a highly educated colleague who most certainly should know better, attack him using the utterly insensitive phrase she did is appalling and exhibits a serious lack of judgment.
People living with autism and working in this area must be disgusted.
Donal Healy
Jenkinstown, Co Meath
It wasn’t a politician who won the seven-way leaders’ debate
Good entertainment in the seven-way debate on RTÉ.
Here’s how I rated the performances. One, Richard Boyd-Barrett, used the stage to best effect, drawing in his audience; two, Mary Lou McDonald, the best street fighter, landing good counter-punches on her two main rivals; Leo Varadkar used humour to lighten his image while remaining statesman-like; Róisín Shortall, clear and incisive, a good debater; Eamon Ryan, the one with an overall vision; Micheál Martin, quick on his feet and good on detail; Brendan Howlin, defended his corner well after getting a bad draw on the outside.
Overall winner: Claire Byrne by a country mile, for handling the lot of them so well.
John Glennon
Co Wicklow
Laughing out loud on the stump in Dún Laoghaire
Caroline O’Doherty’s piece (Irish Independent, January 27) on the Taoiseach’s Sunday sortie into Dún Laoghaire sparkled and was writing of the highest quality.
Albeit I read it while sitting in a hospital gown awaiting a trip to theatre for spinal surgery, I laughed out loud on at least two occasions. Well crafted and beautifully observed, it was also damned funny and exactly met her ‘colour piece’ brief.
As a retired hack, might I respectfully suggest that in Caroline you have at last found a true heir to the wonderful Lise Hand.
Maurice O’Brien
Tilehurst, Berkshire, UK
Source: Read Full Article
Home » Analysis & Comment » Letters to the Editor: 'Pensions debate has brought very nasty ageism to the fore'
Letters to the Editor: 'Pensions debate has brought very nasty ageism to the fore'
I was delighted to see Ian O’Doherty defending older people (‘Older people have not ‘stolen your future’, their only crime was a lifetime of paying tax’, Irish Independent, January 28).
We are in very dangerous territory when our citizens are turning against each other in ways never imagined before. And ageism is rife.
There have always been differences between the generations but it was more than balanced by respect, care, thoughtfulness, good manners and a realisation that one day you too will be old, if you are lucky.
Please log in or register with Independent.ie for free access to this article.
Log In
New to Independent.ie? Create an account
Older people are easy targets to blame for the country’s current problems. We hear that we are hospital bed blockers and holding on to our homes, thus contributing to the housing shortage. One can hear euthanasia knocking on the door…
The pension debate seems to have brought out the worst in people. Surely young people are intelligent enough to see that anyone working for 40 years plus, paying tax and social welfare contributions, has paid their dues and their entitlement to their pension. That is why it is called a contributory old age pension.
Many over-65s are working away and fit and healthy, contributing and engaging fully in their communities. Many are taking care of grandchildren in order to help their own children pay hefty mortgages. Many are caring for ill or disabled family members.
Oh yes! It’s Easy Street all the way for the oldies! You’ll find out in due course!
Máire Ní Fearghaill
Bothar Bui, Co Mhí
Dart access for wheelchairs an affordable commitment
For not just years but decades there have been sporadic demonstrations about the poor wheelchair access on the Dart.
It is an important issue in itself but also symbolic of the extent to which Irish society genuinely aspires to be inclusive as opposed to giving lip service to the concept.
Therefore I call upon all political parties in advance of the election to make a commitment that if they form part of the new government their first budget will provide funding sufficient to upgrade all Dart stations to be wheelchair accessible.
Also a commitment on an annual basis to provide a budget for maintenance, including a 24-7, on-call contract to ensure lifts are always working in all stations.
Such access would be taken for granted in the capital city of any country calling itself civilised, and in budgetary terms it is a drop in the ocean.
Martin Clynes
Clontarf, Dublin 3
Noone’s comments about Varadkar were disgusting
Leo Varadkar was recently the victim of comments that he was not fit to lead on the basis of not being a family man. He graciously accepted an apology.
To then have Catherine Noone, a highly educated colleague who most certainly should know better, attack him using the utterly insensitive phrase she did is appalling and exhibits a serious lack of judgment.
People living with autism and working in this area must be disgusted.
Donal Healy
Jenkinstown, Co Meath
It wasn’t a politician who won the seven-way leaders’ debate
Good entertainment in the seven-way debate on RTÉ.
Here’s how I rated the performances. One, Richard Boyd-Barrett, used the stage to best effect, drawing in his audience; two, Mary Lou McDonald, the best street fighter, landing good counter-punches on her two main rivals; Leo Varadkar used humour to lighten his image while remaining statesman-like; Róisín Shortall, clear and incisive, a good debater; Eamon Ryan, the one with an overall vision; Micheál Martin, quick on his feet and good on detail; Brendan Howlin, defended his corner well after getting a bad draw on the outside.
Overall winner: Claire Byrne by a country mile, for handling the lot of them so well.
John Glennon
Co Wicklow
Laughing out loud on the stump in Dún Laoghaire
Caroline O’Doherty’s piece (Irish Independent, January 27) on the Taoiseach’s Sunday sortie into Dún Laoghaire sparkled and was writing of the highest quality.
Albeit I read it while sitting in a hospital gown awaiting a trip to theatre for spinal surgery, I laughed out loud on at least two occasions. Well crafted and beautifully observed, it was also damned funny and exactly met her ‘colour piece’ brief.
As a retired hack, might I respectfully suggest that in Caroline you have at last found a true heir to the wonderful Lise Hand.
Maurice O’Brien
Tilehurst, Berkshire, UK
Source: Read Full Article