Sir, – “Regretting working outside the home: ‘We’re told to parent like we don’t work. And work like we don’t parent’” (Your Family, February 11th) addresses the issue of mothers feeling caught between the demands of parenting and their careers.
These issues are undoubtedly widespread, worthy of coverage and are done justice here.
However, the entire article does not contain a single use of “father”, “dad”, “man” or “men”. There are five “husbands”, but all mentioned in the context of them continuing to work full-time while being supported in this by their wife reducing hours or working full-time in the home.
This, needless to say, is absolutely a valid choice and the correct one for many families. However, it would be refreshing to see it acknowledged that men also have the choice to work reduced hours, move to a job that is flexible but underpaid, take (unpaid) parental leave, leave the workforce for a few years, and all of the other options discussed in the article. As a father currently working half-hours to better support my children and my wife’s career, it has been a hugely rewarding and enjoyable change of lifestyle for me, as well as benefitting my wife and children.
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This is just one of many parenting articles in which fathers working full-time seems to be treated as a fixed, immutable feature of family life. Summer childcare, after-school childcare, home-work balance: these are all continually treated as mothers’ rather than parents’ issues. Given that, once maternity leave has finished, fathers and mothers have equal access to parents’ leave and unpaid parental leave, as well as equal opportunities to negotiate with employers for work from home, flexible working hours, etc, these assumptions must be challenged and questioned if we are to ever achieve a fair and equitable society. Over the past decades, women have made huge, welcome strides in the workforce. Men are now beginning to take some steps forward in the domestic labour force: this should be highlighted, maybe even encouraged, but certainly not ignored by media. – Is mise,
OWEN McNESTRY,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – I was disappointed that the recent article about working parenthood versus at-home parenthood only referred to women. I would have appreciated hearing from the partners of the women interviewed. Parenthood is a joint responsibility. Why did each couple decide the mother would be the one to stay at home? As an exploration of the options available to parents, shouldn’t the father remaining at home and the mother working at least be mentioned, even if no fathers in this situation could be interviewed for the piece?
There should not be an automatic assumption that the mother will remain at home and the father will work if a family decides a parent at home is better for them. Just as we should support women who decide to stay at home when they have children, we should support fathers who decide the same thing. If the article wanted to explore the changing role of motherhood specifically, it should be labelled as such, instead of parenthood. – Yours, etc,
SARAH DATTI,
Naas,
Co Kildare.
‘Coalition’s overdue triplets’
Sir, – While Marian Harkin, Colm Brophy and Timmy Dooley await the passage of the Ministers and Secretaries and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Bill 2025 through the new Dáil and Seanad, it would be premature on their part to assume the job is done once the legislation is passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas (“Deliverance almost at hand for Coalition’s overdue triplets after Michael D summons the Seanad”, Politics, February 12th).
While the legality of the increase in Ministers of State from 20 to 23 is not in question, the current legislation providing for an increased allowance for three of those Ministers to attend Cabinet is under review by the courts, thanks to TDs Pa Daly and Paul Murphy.
If the Government’s proposed amending legislation is passed by the Dáil and Seanad in the coming weeks, there is one more hurdle it will face: Michael D Higgins and his constitutional duty to refer Bills to the Supreme Court where there is a question over their adherence to the Constitution.
How can the President sign such legislation into law knowing that some of the foundation of the legislation is under review by the courts?
The Government has chosen a difficult path with its attempt to increase the numbers attending Cabinet and this may well be where the wheels come off.
Marian, Colm and Timmy shouldn’t hold their breath on their anticipated promotions, they may well be some time coming yet. – Yours, etc,
TOMÁS HENEGHAN,
East Wall,
Dublin 3.
Housing – taking responsibility
A chara, – Kathy Sheridan suggests that Ireland needs a Nphet for housing and a housing tsar to lead public communication on the crisis (“What we need are weekly Nphet-style television briefings on housing”, Opinion & Analysis, February 12th).
While frustration with political inaction is very understandable, we should be very wary of undemocratic moves like this. Handing over media profile and influence to an unelected group risks sidelining political debate and broader economic and social considerations.
The housing crisis requires democratic oversight and public accountability, not another single-issue group making decisions in isolation. We need politicians to take responsibility, not outsource it. – Yours, etc,
REAMONN O’LUAN,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.
Shamrock diplomacy
Sir, – Before the Taoiseach accepts an invitation to the White House for St Patrick’s Day, it should be established whether tariffs will be imposed on the traditional bowl of shamrock. – Yours, etc,
EITHNE MacFADDEN,
Carrigart,
Co Donegal.
Artificial intelligence
Sir, – I used to be concerned at the unfettered development of AI (“EU to invest hundreds of billions of euro in developing artificial intelligence”, February 12th), but considering where the sum of human intelligence has taken us, perhaps it’s the lesser of two evils. – Yours, etc,
TOMÁS FINN,
Cappataggle,
Ballinasloe,
Co Galway.
A straw in the wind
Sir, – We can hardly be surprised by Donald Trump’s keen interest in the paper versus plastic straw debate, given his preference for surrounding himself with lackeys who will suck up to him. – Yours, etc,
IVAN RUSK,
Quin,
Co Clare.
Trump’s plan for Gaza
Sir, – President Trump’s Gaza redevelopment plan involves getting all of the Palestinians to go somewhere else, with Jordan and Egypt being suggested.
The only problem is that they don’t want more refugees sent to them and have said so, although the response was if they don’t agree, the US would conceivably withhold aid.
This idea of withdrawing aid is simply a threat and another example of bullying.
How long will the people of America allow themselves be seen as irrational bullies? Hopefully not the remaining four years. – Yours, etc,
DENNIS FITZGERALD,
Melbourne,
Australia.
Trump and Mandelson
Sir, – I am curious as to why Michael McDowell thinks that UK ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, “as a gay man, will be at a considerable disadvantage in the reactionary court of King Donald”, when Donald Trump’s nomination for Secretary of the Treasury post was Scott Bessent (“England is mired in self-doubt and disillusionment – but Ireland can’t afford to gloat”, Opinion & Analysis, February 12th).
Mr Bessent is the first gay treasury secretary and the first gay Senate-confirmed cabinet member in a Republican administration, according to the Associated Press.
Where is the evidence that Mr Mandelson’s tenure as ambassador will be more difficult because of his sexual orientation? – Yours, etc,
E BOLGER,
Dublin 9.
Electric vehicles
Sir, – Eamon Ryan’s article (Opinion & Analysis, February 11th) on EVs as back-up for residential homes reminds me of Harry Belafonte’s song There’s a Hole in My Bucket. When the EV runs out of electricity, how will he recharge the car? – Yours, etc,
JOE O’FLAHERTY,
Galway.
Housing and investment
Sir, – Deposits from Irish households stood at a record €135 billion at the end of September, according to the Central Bank. This money is earning little interest for the investors. Could the Government “pivot” to Irish investors to offer better returns to create houses for their country? I’m sure many would invest in a better future for all. – Yours, etc,
OWEN McKEON,
Skerries,
Co Dublin.
Just another day in the office
Sir, – Further to “Elon Musk and Donald Trump field media questions in Oval Office” (World, February 12th), Elon Musk brings his son to work while attempting to justify his rollback of flexible working arrangements for US federal employees. Ironic? – Yours, etc,
Dr JOSEPH DeCOURCEY,
Bayside,
Dublin 13.
Hearts and flowers
Sir, – Dermot O’Rourke is wondering what he should give his loved one for Valentine’s Day (Letters, February 12th).
I confirm that his idea of “a rose plant in a square pot” is an excellent one. My rose bush, which I was given on Valentine’s Day nearly 10 years ago is still blooming, and a rose thrived on it up to mid-January this year; a lovely reminder of a precious love. – Yours, etc,
SHEILA DEEGAN,
Dublin 3.
Knowing the signs of ageing
Sir, – You know you’re getting old when you are asked at the carvery lunch if you’d like “the half plate”. – Yours, etc,
MOIRA CARDIFF,
Balbriggan,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – You know you are getting older when everyone tells you that you are looking great. – Yours, etc,
LAURA O’MARA,
Stillorgan,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – I realised that old age had finally caught up with me when not only did my kind fishmonger carry my purchase out to my car but he then offered to reverse the car out for me. Mind you, I am 92. – Yours, etc,
JANE MEREDITH,
Cabinteely,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – As a cyclist, I used to overtake 90 per cent of my fellow cyclists. Now 99 per cent leave me in their wake! – Yours, etc,
PAUL KILCULLEN,
Stillorgan,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – When you discover those easy slip-in shoes, my new sole mates. – Yours, etc,
DEIRDRE O’DALY JUDGE,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – You’re old when you go to the shop to change your phone, and the sales assistant suggests the one with the big numbers. – Yours, etc,
LIAM GAVIN,
Rush,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – I’ve noticed recently that if I occasionally meet someone from my school days that I haven’t seen for ages, I remark to myself that they’ve got old looking. But they’re probably thinking the same about me. – Yours, etc,
MARY DUNNE,
Gormanston,
Co Meath.
A chara, – When people call you “Mister”. – Yours, etc,
JOE CARROLL,
Dundalk,
Co Louth.
