Letters: RTÉ’s boycott is unlikely to change Israel’s actions, so what will it do next year?
RTÉ’s boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is a case in point, because what is RTÉ going to do for the 2027 and subsequent Eurovision contests? RTÉ’s boycott is because Israel is participating amid the appalling loss of life in Gaza and the targeted killing of journalists.
Israel is very likely to participate in 2027 and future contests, so there is no winning way back down there.
The vast majority of deaths in Gaza have already happened, and the death rate is much lower now. It is interesting that RTÉ had no problem with vastly higher casualties in 2024. So what is RTÉ’s winning strategy? Will RTÉ end its boycott if casualties are less than 10 in 2026, or a hundred, or a thousand?
The targeted killing of journalists is similar. Will RTÉ end its boycotts if there are less than 10 journalist deaths in Gaza? But what about journalists in the West Bank and Lebanon? Unless RTÉ can explain what its back-down strategy is, it will have to double down in 2027.
We may accept that it could be many years before Ireland participates at the Eurovision again.
Jason Fitzharris, Rivervalley, Swords, Co Dublin
National broadcaster risks its reputation by wading into Eurovision politics
If RTÉ sees itself as an impartial broadcaster, why is it making political decisions in refusing to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest because it takes issue with the participation of another state; ie Israel?
It’s noteworthy that RTÉ ran their decision not to participate as the lead story. How can it be trusted to be a “neutral” and objective broadcaster when it’s seemingly creating its own news content?
Kieran Cummins, Enfield, Co Meath
Catholic Church will drive women away with refusal to let them play a full role
An opportunity to assert the right of Catholic women to equality in the Catholic Church was thrown away by a misogynistic group of Vatican-appointed theologians by the publication of their decision to exclude women from the Order of the Diaconate.
There is no justification in scripture or Christian tradition for such a ludicrous and demeaning decision. There is no doubt that this decision was already preordained by the decision of Pope Francis to pack a supposedly open-minded commission with ultra-conservative theologians whose misogynist views against the ordination of female deacons were already known.
This preordained decision is a mockery of and an insult against the views of the vast majority of Catholic women, who find these ingrained prejudices and patriarchal structures totally unacceptable.
A recent poll has reported that “38pc of Gen Z women aged between 18-24 now identify as religiously unaffiliated – a notable statistic that sits higher than their male peers”.
This latest Vatican decision on female deacons will doubtlessly intensify this trend, especially among Catholic women.
Brendan Butler, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
If only all patients could receive the wonderful care I got during hospital stay
Recently I won the healthcare lottery, and I am eternally grateful for the exceptional care afforded me in University Hospital Galway when I suffered a stroke and my BE-FAST symptoms were immediately identified.
Incredibly, an ambulance arrived at my home 12 minutes after placing the call, and due to the activated stroke protocols, I was rushed through the chaotic, overcrowded A&E in University Hospital Galway where I received instant emergency care – care that utterly transformed my health outcomes.
Two things strike me about this. One: having protocols and resources in place for medical emergencies dramatically improved my health outcomes and has long lasting savings in the medical care, beds and follow-up services required.
And as I was whisked through the eternally crowded emergency department, I was astonished to see the endless rows of patients languishing on trolleys waiting for treatment and a bed.
If our health service can provide the incredible level of reaction and care afforded me as a stroke victim by the dedicated, skilled stroke team in University Hospital Galway, then why cannot that be replicated throughout the health service?
And cognisant of the negativity of immigration currently abroad in our country, I will be for ever grateful for the Irish and myriad other international workers – Eastern European, African, Asian – working in our healthcare services and dedicating their professionalism, care and kindness to the Irish people – the level of which was utterly outstanding and for which I thank them and will be eternally grateful.
Tomás Finn, Ballinasloe, Co Galway
Government did nothing to ease the cost of living when it had the chance
What one juxtaposes what the Government did this year versus what they did last year, questions now need to be asked.
This administration removed the energy credits and the local property taxes increased. This Government increased the cost of fuel, petrol and diesel, and they increased the cost of sending children to university right across the board.
Rather than citizens receiving support at a time when the Government is lauding its huge surpluses – allied to the fact that it had an extra €9bn in expenditure in this budget – the Irish people got precisely nothing. One couldn’t make this one up.
John O’Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
Burns and the GAA are excluding the very people he raises concerns about
Jarlath Burns, the GAA president, raised the issue this week of depopulation of towns and villages, particularly in the west of Ireland, and the effect that this is having on maintaining cultural life in these areas going forward, in a missive to his large membership.
However, the bould Jarlath has at least left this reader confused given the GAA’s determination to exclude large swathes of the population with its pay-per-view and non-acceptance of cash policies.
What point was he addressing exactly?
Peter White, Dingle, Co Kerry
