Letters: Who will protect Ireland when we cannot, and will not, protect ourselves?

Instead, as part of the Government’s response to world affairs, we use our neutral status not to invest in security and defence.

We choose this path in the hope that it will buffer us from engaging in any overt acts abroad to defend other sovereign states or democracies, but also in the expectation that others will come to our pitiful defence.

For years, the Irish Defence Forces have been underfunded, understaffed and underequipped by successive ministers and governments.

An example of this is our national waters. These should be patrolled 24/7 against the insidious and often blatant Russian navy and its spy ships. Yet we can barely man one ship, never mind two, out of a fleet of six. Then we have the Air Corps losing technicians, air-traffic controllers and pilots to the private sector. No investment in jet fighters. Why?

We have an army that has lost a large number of well-trained soldiers who are being paid a pittance and work with equipment that would not fulfil any mandate if it came to the defence of our lands. Not one tank or missile launcher.

We have a police service that should, to all intent and purposes, be concentrating on policing without the added portfolios of security and intelligence. There should be a separate, independent and fully funded secret service with the technology and staffing that knows what is happening in advance of any possible threats to our State.

Who will protect us if we can’t protect ourselves and why has there been so much resistance to our security and defence in a world that is tearing itself apart?

Sadly, we have too many non-combatants, with little or no frontline experience in security and defence, who are making decisions that could hugely impact us as we face a period of global uncertainty.

Christy Galligan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

No point in dialogue with regime whose stated aim is to wipe Israel off the map

Micheál Martin and Simon Harris suggest diplomacy and dialogue is needed with Iran. This mindset shows their total lack of understanding of the situation.

Iran’s stated aim is to wipe Israel off the world map, which means annihilating its entire population.

Iran cannot and must not be appeased.

Joe Dixon, Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan

Office of the President belongs in another era, its cost is needed in this one

As the country faces another costly presidential election, one wonders if the Republic of Ireland needs a president and whether it can afford to sustain what is largely a ceremonial office.

For me, the answer to both questions is an emphatic no.

The non-executive and outdated office is weighed down by protocols and formalities, which are irrelevant in a modern republic grappling with very serious housing, health, criminal and international issues.

The president holds office for an inordinately long seven years, and can be elected for a second term.

Unlike a general or local election, it is almost impossible for an ordinary Irish citizen to contest this election, as a nomination requires the support of at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least four local authorities.

In addition to expense-free living in the opulent Áras, the president is entitled to an annual salary of €332,017, nearly seven times the average working salary of €47,967.

Presidential staff and ceremonial functions, at home and abroad, cost the taxpayer at least €5 million per annum.

Some very fine people, including the current incumbent, have held the office of president.

But, in my opinion, the position is now unsustainable and the money spent in electing and maintaining a president of Ireland is urgently needed elsewhere.

Billy Ryle, Tralee, Co Kerry

250 million ways to make a miserable existence that small bit more bearable

The recent €250m EuroMillions win reminds me of an old adage: Money can’t buy you happiness, but it makes being unhappy a bit more bearable. Quite.

Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin

In a post-truth world, media literacy should be mandatory in all schools

I am often asked these days by all sorts of people: Where do you get your news from? Who are your trusted sources? In this age of disinformation, alternative facts, post-truthism and the evisceration of mainstream media by the internet, the economics of the newspaper industry have been virtually destroyed.

I have to say there are valiant efforts out there by some of the newspapers, but I often find myself asking: Is real investigative reporting on top of the totem pole any more? I also wonder about the editorial standards vis-a-vis fact-checking of stories.

There is so much information out there from so many different sources, one wonders how one decides what’s true. Perhaps a deeper philosophical question would be: in the world we now live in, is there such a thing any more as objective truth?

When one looks at the Trump administration, there appears to be many people who clearly do not believe truth is worth finding out, let alone speaking. Propaganda, misinformation and fake news have the potential to polarise public opinion along with promoting violent extremism and hate speech, resulting in the undermining of democracies.

I believe it is vital for schools to provide students with a solid education on media and information literacy as part of the curriculum.

John O’Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

Tax bill for council’s land hoarding is sweet karma for those who created it

The Connaught Tribune recently reported the dismay of Mayo councillors at the €385,000 they must pay Revenue for their unused residential zoned land. If a council with an annual budget of €213m cannot make use of its lands, what hope is there for mere mortal private developers without the fairy godmother of the Exchequer to fund them?

The Land Development Agency is seeking powers to buy private land, but this is a distraction from the real land hoarding by the many arms of the State itself. Politicians created the ridiculous Residential Zoned Land Tax – that they find their own councils on the receiving end is a most pleasing karma indeed. Alex Wilsdon, Dublin Road, Kilkenny