Letters: Ireland can expect no help from German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Nothing else better symbolises the delusion and disconnect that characterises our democratic champions in government.

This year it takes on the significance of the phoenix, as our masters seek to seize the opportunity to rise from the economic cinders after seven years of hardship, hair-shirts, and harbingers of doom.

Well, good luck with that. Do they seriously expect us to clap them on the back and return them to office for taking less of what we already own from us; or else be eternally gratefully for allowing us to keep more of what is already ours?

The Budget has become the yardstick by which we have come to measure political performance.

That is well and good if we accept the dystopian notion that we are now an economy rather than a society. So, forget the human cost of emigration and long-term unemployment; the tax loopholes and the princelings too wealthy to have to pay their share thanks to all the State mechanisms of privilege.

Nor does it allow for the fact that Brussels has continued to view us as a minnow to be swallowed in the belly of the banking beast. Sure we took one for Team Europe, but don’t expect to get any relief on debt from Frau Merkel or even a nibble on any of the carrots dangled before us in order to secure our best-in-the-class certificates.

It has taken tens of thousands of marchers down the capital’s main thoroughfare to signal that you can’t actually fool all the people all of the time.

It is time for our leaders to leave their political bubble and get a sense of humility. Hubris demands a heavy price, a lesson Enda Kenny will have learned at the expense of John McNulty. But in the ever-spinning carousel of life, what goes around comes around.

T G Gavin, Killiney, Co Dublin

Church synod deserves praise

Mike Mahon asks if anyone finds it odd that “celibate men” are meeting to discuss family life (Irish Independent Letters, October 12) at the Vatican synod. Firstly, he therefore assumes family life is primarily about sex, otherwise celibacy is a non-issue. Priests listen to the trials and tribulations of married life in the confessional. All priests have families of their own – the ones they grew up in. Priests may have had partners prior to taking vows of celibacy. They surely have some insight into family life.

Secondly, as for the synod, one of the functions of the Church is to disseminate Catholic doctrine to Catholics. The synod is trying to ascertain why this does not seem to be happening and what can be done to make this happen. This does not necessarily mean the doctrine will change, but is to rather discuss how its importance to family life can be better communicated. There is nothing “odd” about a convocation of clergy whose job it is to discuss this.

Finally, he adds a little jibe about “men wearing skirts in public”. This is a rather tired old mantra by men who apparently can’t distinguish between a skirt, dress or cassock. If Mr Mahon asks any woman or priest I’m sure they’ll be happy to explain the difference to him.

Nick Folley, Carrigaline, Co Cork

Bono a force for good

Reading Colette Browne’s article about Bono (Irish Independent, October 13) brought the saying to mind “chewed bread is easily forgotten”. Instead of criticising Bono, we should be thankful to him and U2. Thankful for putting Ireland on the map, not just musically.

They have played many concerts here over the years and made videos in Ireland – all this led to many people getting employment as stage crews, security, food stalls and ticket sellers. Not to mention extra shifts for our gardai, extra tourists and all the tax returns that generated.

An article extolling Bono’s virtues might serve us better. We live in hope.

Seamus Keaveny, Kells, Co Meath

In defence of public servants

I have been reading with interest the various letters to the Editor concerning the pension levy as well as Martina Devlin’s excellent article (Irish Independent, October 9).

I found Marc Coleman’s contribution more caustic, especially his reference to public sector princelings. I have no doubt these princelings exist, but many retired public servants do not fit into this elite category. Are the public even aware that retired public sector workers have been paying this levy since its introduction in 2011?

I am a retired primary teacher whose  annual levy totals €2,471.30.

My total pension is less than the salary increase awarded to TDs who were elevated to the position of junior ministers.

Name and address with editor

Protest movement is not new

Dermot Ryan proclaims “a new dawn in our politics” because “thousands marched on Dublin” and “two Independent candidates” were elected to the Dail (Letters, Irish Independent, October 14). Does he not realise that those occurrences are the normal part of life in a democracy?

Does he not realise that the “loud howlings” he hears are those of various vested interests giving vent to their feelings of entitlement?

Does he not realise that the loud howlings of the marchers – for which he so enthusiastically proclaims support – are those of just another group with vested interests?

Does he not realise that it was decisions of our most powerful citizens, and not what he calls “the whims of foreigners”, which contributed to the bankrupting of this country?

There is no new dawn, just a continuation of the workings of a democracy.

A Leavy, Sutton, Dublin 13

Putin is our cross to bear

I see Vladimir Putin, Russia’s presidential “New Age Tzar”, is pictured wearing a crucifix while riding a horse. Putin’s decision to wear a crucifix must be a tawdry fashion-statement.

This is because while Putin (like so many a celeb-set crucifix wearer) may think he can “walk on water” there was/is only one Man who ever did (and still can)!

And after what’s happened in Crimea, the Ukraine generally and the shooting down of MH-17 (not to mention the current threats to Hong Kong’s stability) Western apologists should never forget that Putin is ex-KGB! And that’s not “Kind Gentle Brothers”, as many former Soviets used to claim!

Howard Hutchins, Victoria, Australia

The conundrum of petrol prices

Petrol pump prices in Ireland are not far off their all-time high mark.

This coincides with a near four-year low in crude oil prices. Can anyone, petrol retailer or otherwise please explain this anomaly?

Dr Martin Ryan, Rathgar, Dublin 6

When the chips are down...

For some strange reason, the story about the man in New Mexico suing Burger King because the manager attacked him in a dispute over cold onion rings brought a tear to my eye.

Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9