Sir, – Dr Deirdre Kearney provides a welcome reminder of the critical need to invest in mental health services for children and young people (Letters, December 21st).
As a group of GPs (deependireland.ie), who work directly with these children and their families in disadvantaged communities, we want to highlight the importance of investment and development of services based on need. While Dr Kearney focuses on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs), there is also an urgent need for investment in primary mental health services. Currently, Camhs and other services are distributed by population numbers (typically per 50,000 people), completely disregarding the fact that serious mental health illness is three to four times more prevalent in children in the most disadvantaged communities. Parents living in poverty don’t have the means to access the private services that may act as a safety net for children in more affluent areas.
A focus primarily on investment in Camhs will not address the far wider supports required in general practice and primary care where the majority of mental health and disability care is based. Our patients face waiting lists for primary care psychology of two to three years and up to seven years for disability services, and GPs are not resourced to provide the longer consultations required to address complex mental health difficulties.
This means that, as a society, we are not providing services that are fit for purpose and we are effectively discriminating against those with the highest needs.
We agree with Dr Kearney that there needs to be better interagency collaboration but the service developments need to be configured to support those most in need, as there is a lot of evidence that failure to address these issues in childhood leads to lifelong physical and mental health problems.
Earlier this year, Fintan O’Toole reminded us that “we are so intent on the backward glance that what is right in front of us is glimpsed only out of the corner of our eyes” (Opinion & Analysis, September 17th).
We must not lose sight of the children living now, in plain sight, currently experiencing mental health and disability.
Let’s hope that for 2025, our new government will push ahead with the implementation of Sláintecare, with its commitment to needs-based resource allocation and its underlying principles of equity and universalism. – Yours, etc,
SUSAN SMITH,
General Practitioner, Dublin 8,
Professor of General Practice,
Trinity College Dublin;
EDEL McGINNITY,
GP, Dublin 15;
ANNA BEUG,
GP, Dublin 8;
BRID SHANAHAN,
GP, Dublin 1;
PATRICK O’DONNELL,
GP, Limerick City;
MARY FAVIER,
GP Cork City;
MARK MURPHY,
GP, Dublin 1;
DEIRDRE CARROLL,
GP, Dublin 8;
CLIONA WATERHOUSE,
GP, Dublin 8
FINOLA MINIHAN,
GP, Balbriggan, Co Dublin;
FIONA McGRATH,
GP, Dublin 10;
FIONA MONAGHAN,
GP, Cork City;
CATHERINE MULLEN,
GP, Dublin 15;
TADG LEHANE,
GP, Dublin 8;
ANGELA SHORTALL,
GP, Dublin 15;
BRIDGET KIELY,
GP, Dublin 1;
EOIN MONAGHAN,
GP, Cork City;
EMMA KILGARRIF,
GP, Galway;
On behalf of Deep End Ireland.
Time to recognise Somaliland
Sir, – This month saw a new president sworn into office in Africa in a ceremony which marked the culmination of a peaceful transfer of power. This occurred in one of the most stable democracies on the continent, Somaliland. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi became Somaliland’s sixth president after winning the election last month which saw him defeat incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi. Having been lauded as one of the most stable political environments in East Africa for the past number of decades, why has the state which broke away from Somalia in 1991 and declared its independence not been recognised by any other country?
This is a question which I first asked in the Hague in the Netherlands back in 2009 at the Model United Nations and argued that it is time for the international community including Ireland to have a serious discussion on the question of recognising Somaliland’s independence. Given Ireland took the lead in Europe when recognising Palestinian statehood, it is important for Ireland to consider its position in relation to Somaliland. It is one of the main reasons I studied African history and politics while at university in Trinity College Dublin. I think at the very least it is time for the new incoming Irish government and Minister for Foreign Affairs to seriously consider the Irish position on this question.
Somaliland is located in the north of what is recognised as Somalia and shares borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti. Modern Somalia is made up of two previous colonies, British Somaliland (modern Somaliland), and Italian Somaliland, the rest of modern-day Somalia. On June 26th, 1960, British Somaliland gained its independence from the United Kingdom and six days later voluntarily joined the then independent former colony of Italian Somaliland to create modern Somalia.
However, tensions between the different factions in the new modern Somalia began very quickly and after years of persecution, in 1991 leaders in Somaliland declared their independence. Since that time, Somaliland has had its own government, currency, police force and passports.
Somaliland entered the news earlier this year as the then-president Muse Bihi Abdi made a memorandum of understanding with Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed.
In exchange for Ethiopian recognition of Somaliland, Ethiopia would gain a lease to part of the Somaliland seafront for their navy as Ethiopia doesn’t have a coastline. This deal was thrown into doubt recently when it was announced that Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had met in Turkey in talks arranged by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan where it was stated that both countries would now respect one another’s “sovereignty”. However, this question of international recognition of Somaliland may be brought more to the fore as it was reported that the incoming US administration under Donald Trump is considering recognising Somaliland after meeting former United Kingdom defence secretary Gavin Williamson, who has been a strong advocate for the country’s recognition. The Trump administration almost recognised Somaliland in 2020 and if it is likely that the new administration will recognise the country’s independence, isn’t now the time to decide Ireland’s position rather than being pressured into one?
I think it would be extremely hard not to come to the conclusion that Somaliland which has been a self-governing de facto country for the past three decades upholding the democratic process should be offered the respect it deserves to join the countries of the world or at the very least have its case heard. – Yours, etc,
Cllr PIERCE DARGAN,
(Fine Gael),
Kilternan,
Co Dublin.
Zimbabwe is at a crossroads
Sir, – Zimbabwe, a country once hailed as the breadbasket of Africa, now grapples with the painful reality of widespread poverty and a crumbling economy. The majority of Zimbabweans live under harsh conditions, struggling daily to make ends meet, while the government fails to address their most basic needs. In this festive season, the gap between the elite and the common citizens has never been more evident, with the majority unable to afford even the simplest celebrations. Meanwhile, hospitals are collapsing, schools lack resources, and public infrastructure deteriorates by the day. It’s a bitter holiday for most Zimbabweans, while a few in power enjoy extravagance.
Zimbabwe’s government, led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has been heavily criticized for mismanaging the country’s economy and prioritising its own luxuries over the welfare of the people.
The country’s health sector is in shambles, with most public hospitals lacking critical supplies, essential drugs, and qualified personnel.
Yet, in stark contrast to the public suffering, the government continues to spend lavishly on expensive vehicles and perks for top officials. There is growing frustration and disillusionment with President Mnangagwa’s administration.
When he came into power in 2017, many Zimbabweans hoped for a break from the autocratic rule of his predecessor, Robert Mugabe. However, under Mr Mnangagwa, many argue that the country has continued to slide into further decline, with corruption, mismanagement, and economic collapse plaguing the nation.
For many Zimbabweans, the solution seems clear: the president must step down. Citizens are calling for leadership that genuinely serves the people, restores dignity, and revives the country’s dying economy.
Beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, the government’s influence has had devastating effects on regional stability, particularly in neighbouring Mozambique. This interference has contributed to increased tensions, contributing to Mozambique’s internal strife. Civil wars and unrest have erupted, threatening regional security and further discrediting Zimbabwe’s leadership in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Mr Mnangagwa’s actions have not only damaged Zimbabwe’s reputation on the global stage but have also created new problems for neighbouring countries. Instead of working to improve relations and stabilise the region, Zimbabwe’s leadership has seemingly sown discord.
Zimbabwe, once a beacon of hope in southern Africa, is now seen as a symbol of corruption, inefficiency, and authoritarianism.
The government’s disregard for its citizens’ welfare has cast a shadow over Zimbabwe’s international standing and has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups, international organisations, and citizens alike. Zimbabweans, both at home and abroad, continue to call for accountability and change.
The discontent is loud and clear: Mr Mnangagwa’s leadership has failed to deliver prosperity, justice, or hope. Instead, it has perpetuated the cycle of poverty, mismanagement, and economic despair.
As Zimbabweans suffer through another bleak festive season, it is clear that the country is at a crossroads. The widening divide between the elite and the masses is unsustainable, and without immediate intervention, the situation will only worsen.
Zimbabwe’s government’s failure to address poverty, healthcare, and economic challenges is undeniable, and it is time for President Mnangagwa to step down. – Yours, etc,
NEWTON TAPIWA MPOFU,
Walsall,
United Kingdom.
Taoiseach’s message to Abbas
Sir, – Taoiseach Simon Harris has stated that Ireland is “pro-peace, pro human rights and pro international law”. This is very commendable. I did notice, however, that during the call the Taoiseach made to President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, there was no mention of these commendable sentiments (“Taoiseach expresses ‘unbreakable support’ to people of Palestine during call with Abbas”, News, December 24th). Given that, under the rule of Mr Abbas, there are no free and fair elections, regular jailing of political opponents, no equal rights for women, and homosexuality is outlawed, these seem to be glaring omissions by Mr Harris. – Yours, etc,
PAUL WILLIAMS,
Kilkee,
Co Clare.
Subsidising private schools
A chara – Every time the issue of State subsidies for private schools arises, someone inevitably claims that these schools actually “save the public purse” through the fees paid by parents. What is particularly troubling, however, is that this argument is now being made by a spokesperson on behalf of the Department of Education itself (“Taxpayers are subsidising private schools by more than €140m a year”, News, December 23rd).
The suggestion that fee-charging schools relieve the State of financial pressure not only legitimises their existence but perpetuates a system that benefits narrow social circles, often for generations. These schools uphold the advantages associated with wealth and privilege, offering access to social capital, elite networks, and better opportunities.
In my view, the efforts to frame private education as value for money or some sort of altruistic subsidy towards the rest of us is both absurd and insulting. Parents paying these fees are not motivated by a noble sacrifice for the public good; they are knowingly participating in a system that unfairly advantages the few at the expense of the many. In some cases, it provides lifelong advantages to very average students.
It’s long past time to abolish State funding for fee-charging schools. We should strive for a more meritocratic system where every child has an equal opportunity, regardless of their family’s income. If people nonetheless choose to avail of private education, then they should pay for it themselves, in full. – Yours, etc,
REAMONN O’LUAN,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – The principal of St Andrew’s College writes about “our diverse school community” (Letters, December 24th).
How can diversity of social class exist within a school with fees of €8,500 a year? (Tokenistic scholarships notwithstanding). – Yours, etc,
SHEILA MAHER,
Goatstown,
Dublin 14.
A challenging, life-changing year
Sir, – Brava, Róisín Ingle!
What a marvellous start to Christmas Eve (“My profound, challenging, surprisingly joyful, life-changing year”, People, December 24th). Tears and joy over breakfast. Thank you. – Yours, etc,
DOT LIDDY,
Greystones,
Co Wicklow.