:: Letters to the Editor

I reject school league tables 08.12.11

Dear Editor,

SCHOOLS that send 100% of their Leaving Certificate cohort to university are given the highest ranking in recently published league tables. This presumes that schools who managed to send all of their students to university are the best schools. I reject this assumption and consider its implication a disservice to education.
Schools which cater for their community have within their student cohort a range of abilities and aptitudes. Only some of these abilities and aptitudes are suitable for progression to university.
In any community there are children with special needs. Current policy and best practice is that these children should be educated in their local school. Schools are expected to set up facilities to include these students in mainstream education as much as possible. Some go further and provide a Special Class for certain categories of Special Needs.
Within any community there are children whose aptitudes are unsuitable for academic study. Many of these students prepare directly for the world of work through programmes such as the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme. This programme and the traditional Leaving Certificate programme also provide vocational education leading to career paths in apprenticeships, post leaving certificate courses and the world of work itself.
The location of the nearest third level college is a significant factor in the student’s choice of further education. Schools along the border will consider colleges in Northern Ireland. The North West Regional College in Derry has over 20,000 pupils who have never been counted in any of these league tables. Schools in Donegal send many pupils to this college.
There is a strong tradition among Donegal people of emigration to Scotland for work. A similar tradition has developed in education with many Leaving Certificate pupils applying to universities in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Welsh universities send representatives to advertise their facilities to my school. These students are not accounted for in these tables.
League tables do not reflect the needs of the communities which schools serve. All of the students must be served; not just those with the academic ability to attend university. Quality career guidance will direct students to the career path that suits them best and ignore tables that interpret Irish university entrance as the highest award.
As principals and teachers we are employed to educate all of the students in our community. To send all of them to university would be to fail many of them. A 100% transfer rate to university would be to fail the students in my care.

Is mise, le meas,

Anthony Doogan,
Principal,
Moville Community College.

Volunteers sought for Kenya 28.11.11

Dear Editor,

Kenya Build, a voluntary organisation based in Sligo, is looking for volunteers to work on a building project in Kenya in late June 2012.
This is an opportunity for young or old, skilled or unskilled, male or female to have possibly a life-changing experience.
You will possibly find a side to your character that you did not know you had.There are few opportunities for short term volunteer work.This is an opportunity to help the marginalised,to contribute to humanity,and to get an understanding of life in a third world country.
The project in June will see the commencement of the re-building of an orphanage in Ngong. The plan is to build the new orphanage over the next couple of years (the timeframe is dependant on the funding available)
Over the last few years Kenya Build has built a new school at St Paul's orphanage and also re-wired the orphanage. Cheryl's Childrens Home has been totally re-built and this year saw the completion of the school at Cheryl's. the school now has 300 pupils.
Last year Kenya Build built two new classrooms at Riruta Shade.
Kenya Build also funded the purchasing and renovating of a house in Machakos as an orphanage to accommodate 40 children.
Each volunteer will be expected to fundraise in order to cover materials, flights, accommodation, insurance and meals. All the information about past projects can be found by visiting www.kenyabuild.com 
Anyone interested can contact Basil Love on 086 8253531 for further information and an application form or email him on info@kenyabuild.com .

Basil Love
Kenya Build
Sligo

Knit one, help many... 27.09.11

Dear Editor,

Last year the nation got knitting for the innocent Big Knit campaign. Your readers played a major role in helping to knit a whopping 80,000 little hats which, in turn, raised €20,000 for Age Action, the national charity for older people. With such a harsh winter last year, the funds were put to great use to ensure that older people in Ireland stayed well and warm.
This year we have been busy knitting again. However, with just weeks to go to the October 14 deadline, we are currently well short of our 80,000 knitted (or crocheted) hat target.
The hats will sit on bottles of innocent smoothies and be sold in shops nationwide from the start of November. For every woolly hat wearing smoothie sold, innocent will give 25 cent to Age Action for their “Stay well, stay warm” campaign for winter 2011.
We hope people of all ages will again get involved, from novice knitters to champion clickers, so please spread the word within your local community. For more information, knitting instructions and variety of knitting patterns please visit www.innocentdrinks.ie/thebigknit .
Please send your little hats to: The innocent Big Knit, Fruit Towers, 120 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2 or drop them into your local Age Action shop. Remember to include your name and address so that we can say thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Eamon Timmins,
Head of Advocacy & Communications,
Age Action,
30-31 Lower Camden Street,
Dublin 2.

We need moratorium on petroleum licences 05.09.11

Dear Editor,

We, the members of the People's Association Watchdog, call on Minister Rabbitte to issue a moratorium on the granting of new petroleum licences off the west coast of Ireland until after the Oireachtas committee is finished reviewing the State's existing terms.
We believe that the terms as outlined in the 'Licensing terms for offshore oil and gas exploration, developement and production 2007' are inadequate and no longer relevant, as per the results of a 2008 study of forty five international fiscal systems by petroleum consultant Daniel Johnston which shows that Ireland achieves the lowest returns from its gas and oil of all the countries studied. Ireland’s returns are half of US and UK and less that one third of Norway.
(Johnston, D. (2008). Changing fiscal landscape. Journal of World Energy Law and Business, 1 (1) , 31-54. )
Considering the results of this report we ask whether Minister Rabbitte's refusal to issue a moratorium on the granting of new petroleum licences would be in direct conflict with Article 45.2.iii of The Irish Constitution.
Article 45.2.iii of The Irish Constitution states that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community may be so distributed amongst private individuals and the various classes as "best to subserve the common good."
We believe based on (Johnston, D. (2008). Changing fiscal landscape. Journal of World Energy Law and Business, 1 (1) , 31-54. ) that the existing licensing terms do not subserve the common good.
We, the members of the People's Association Watchdog acknowledge that Ireland must present an attractive prosposition for oil and gas exploration to interested parties but believe that this must be balanced with the commom good and must comply with Article 45.2.iii of the Constitution.
We request that the minister allow the time afforded by a moratorium to study this issue more in depth while we also review the current agreements and make submissions to the Oireachtas.

Sincerely,

Sonya Oldham,
Member of The People's Association Watchdog
Ballyshannon, Co Donegal

MacLochlainn has my vote 14.02.11

Dear Editor,

As a former Green Party candidate in local government elections in Inishowen, I am acutely aware of the issues – then and now – that confront the communities of the peninsula. The Celtic Tiger leaped over Inishowen and will not be returning in the foreseeable future. We have, nevertheless, been left to deal with the legacy of Fianna Fáil and the other mainstream parties’ neglect.
A trail of rising unemployment, low wages, and endemic economic insecurity for many hard working families is all that’s left to show after the bluster and incompetence that has passed for political representation for the best part of a generation.
Sinn Féin’s Pádraig MacLochlainn is best placed to ensure that local communities get the representation they deserve after the election. His party has: courageously challenged the easy consensus across all the mainstream parties on the EU/IMF and bank rescue plan; demonstrated leadership in developing all-Ireland approaches to problem-solving in a way that is essential for border regions; and prioritised job creation and job protection in a harsh economic climate that will be exploited by others to exploit and sideline the labour movement.

Dr Peter Doran,
Quigley’s Point,
Co Donegal

Don't raid our pensions 04.02.11

A chara, 

There seems to be a sense that the national Pension Reserve Fund is a wad of "free money" that we can raid at a time of our choosing. In reality, every time we dip into the Pension Reserve we are literally taking money out of the pocket of those who will retire in 5, 6 or 10 years time.
Pension liabilities of EU Member States are part of the Stability & Growth pact and as a consequence of our totally unrealistic EU/IMF deal, we are now committed to bringing the country back into line with this pact by 2014, therefore any shortfall in pension liabilities will have to be taken into consideration in this context.
In comparison with other European countries the severity of Ireland's pensions savings gap in monetary terms per individual ranks in the top 3. This indicates the "black hole" of pension provision that Ireland is facing, and any smash and grab of our Pension Reserve Fund - even with the imprimatur of the European Commission - is simply storing up trouble for the future.
Furthermore, in the context of the recent report from the CSO on the contrasting lives of men and women, it is also worth noting that any pension deficit will hit women harder due to the fact that their incomes are approximately 30% lower than men, and they live longer, therefore increasing the probability of a generation of poorer older women.
It may be argued that in the short term we must use the fund, but this is not a cost-free exercise and there will be a price to pay.

Is mise le meas,

Marian Harkin MEP
European Parliament
60, Rue Wiertz
B-1047 Brussels
Belgium

Donegal Co Council abandoned us 13.01.11

Dear Editor,

Christmas 2010 will always be remembered in Inishowen as the year Donegal County Council abandoned the people from Quigley’s Point to Shrove. During a long spell of heavy snow and frost, they put a large state-of-the-art solar powered sign at Quigley’s Point warning that the road to Shrove was not salted.
Now, had this sign been done with a black marker on an empty cornflake box and nailed to a pole it would have been more in keeping with our third world status. How much did it cost to put that sign there?
Then to add insult to injury one of the latest speed camera vans was parked at Noone’s Bridge filming vehicles spinning and sliding along at five miles an hour. The mind boggles. Of course we will be fed with all kinds of promises that this will never happen again and lessons will have to be learned. Then lo and behold we will hear about a group from the Council heading off to Miami to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and to learn first-hand how they handle the snow and ice problem in Miami. Now, there would be no point in them going to such places as Helsinki or Archangel as these places have been having snow problems for years whereas they never have snow in Miami so they will learn how to prevent it happening. And furthermore the golf courses are much better in Miami. However, there is one lesson they will soon learn that promises and hot air will not melt snow nor win votes at the forthcoming elections. On a lighter note, welcome back InishowenNews.com. You were badly missed.

Jimmy McLaughlin
Greencastle

'Sick and tired' of Carnagarve campaign 12.01.11

A chara,

It would be advisable to try to give a wider spread of opinion in your stories about the saga of this sewage scheme in Moville. I have tried for many years to highlight the state of the Bredagh River, which is the long suffering victim in this case. For councillors and Carnagarve residents to act under the guise as protectors of the Foyle Estuary and the beaches between Moville and Greencastle is risable. While they claim to be stopping sewage from destroying these beaches, can they also publicise the facts of where the sewage is currently going. The public need to be reminded that the once 'trout filled Bredagh' is a sewer which carries a lot of Moville sewage into Moville bay and from thence up and down along the shore depending on whether the tide is ebbing or flooding. What the polluted river does nor bear in its waters from Moville, ie the rest of the sewage, flows directly into Lough Foyle at Moville pier. This is also dispersed up and down along the shore by the tides. It is difficult to base a campaign to prevent some pollution happening if it is in fact already happening. I know from speaking to many Moville people who were at the Redcastle An Bord Pleanála hearing, like myself, that they are sick and tired of the tactics used by some to prevent restoration of the Bredagh as our local living trout stream. If the whole campaign was solely fought to protect the value of their properties then the current disastrous fall in house prices has seen to that.

Le meas,

Gerry Sóna
Moville

Rosato's well deserved recognition 09.01.11
RE: Eddie praises Rosato's 'team-work'

Dear Editor,

As a regular visitor to Inishowen I am delighted to read Rosato’s has received this tremendous accolade and well deserved recognition. This is great exposure for Moville and Inishowen that will surely be a morale boast for the local tourist industry.

Well done Eddie and Margaret.

Darach O'Diochon
Dublin

We are facing a lost decade 29.10.10

Dear editor,

The arbitrary date of a 2014 compliance deadline with the EU's Stability and Growth Pact will irreparably damage our small, open economy, leading to the ESRI's prediction of a 'lost decade' for Ireland.
Three weeks ago in the European Parliament I challenged EU Internal Market Commissioner Barnier about the 'mindless austerity' being imposed on Ireland with dire consequences for our economic future, and the absolute requirement of an extension beyond 2014.
The initial decision by the European Council was taken at a time of crisis when it was necessary to ensure the future stability of the Euro and there was a well- founded fear of contagion. We are now past that point and in this period of relative stability we must reassess the situation.
Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan claimed that an extension of the deadline was not currently feasible. However, this ignores the fact that he has a key weapon at his disposal - the Lisbon Treaty. According to Article 9:
"In defining and implementing its policies and activities, the Union shall take into account requirements linked to the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health."
Armed with the ESRI's chilling data, Ireland can make a compelling case that the social cost of the 2014 deadline is in breach of both the letter and the spirit of the Lisbon Treaty's. Just as the Irish people said no and then yes to Lisbon following the emergence of new information, so too must the Council having said yes to 2014 now say no or at least maybe in regard to the proposed date and in doing so live up to its commitments under the Treaty.
As a sovereign state our first responsibility is to our citizens and their welfare and the Stability and Growth Pact's 2014 deadline cannot under any circumstances be allowed to override that. We can, and will, live up to both of these responsibilities but we need an extended timeframe.

Is mise le meas,

Marian Harkin MEP
28 Emmet Place,
Union St., Sligo.
Tel: 086-8341758

Cheers to Rosato's 17.08.10

Dear Editor,

Just spent a few days in Donegal, and would like to pay a tribute through your pages to the staff at Rosato's pub in Moville.
We had generally friendly and efficient customer service everywhere in Donegal, but that team are absolutely exceptional. From the moment you walk in, and someone nods and catches your eye, to the efficient and effective service of food and drinks, nothing is too much trouble.
Hope someone from Rosato's sees this - cheers! We'll be back.

Richard & Sara Clayton
Hampshire
England

Doherty should include breakwater 07.06.10

Dear editor,

I refer to your article regarding the forthcoming (tourism) Oireachtas report by Senator Pearse Doherty. I trust Senator Doherty will bear in mind in his report the tourist implications if the Greencastle Breakwater is completed.
Since €8.2million has already been spent on the breakwater works and €5 million is needed for completion. This can be achieved by an EEC tourist funding grant, which should be applied for officially and not be left to lobbying by individual groups.

The sum of €5 million is well within the bounds of EEC funding, and is not a huge amount by European funding grants standards.
Tourism will be increased by completion of the breakwater which will mean tour ships will be able to add Greencastle/Moville to their itinerary and be able to anchor off-shore and visit. Also, small craft will have free access.
This will mean spin-offs for local shops, onshore tours and possibilities of overnight accommodation and other employment opportunities in tourism.
Given the unemployment situation in the area and the decline in fisheries which adversely affects the Greencastle and Moville area, funding for the completion of the breakwater should be of high priority, and not be let go at this stage.

Regards,

Clara Coyle (by email)

Add to Favorites	:: Return to > News     > Home