Sir, – Your front page report (“Ministers still battling for bigger budget allocations,” October 1st) underscores the fiscal tug-of-war within Government, but the real casualties are our children, our teachers and our schools.
Ireland now has some of the most overcrowded classrooms in Europe. The latest data shows that almost 420,000 children in primary and special education, or nearly 80 per cent of all pupils, are in classes larger than the EU average of 19 pupils per class. These numbers are not abstract. They reduce quality of instruction and compromise curriculum implementation.
To bring our system more in line with Europe, a modest two-pupil reduction in class sizes this year would require 750 retained or new posts.
Such a change would enable teachers to respond more effectively to diverse pupil needs, implement the redeveloped curriculum with integrity, and offer better support to children with additional learning needs or from disadvantaged backgrounds.
RM Block
A two point reduction in the primary teachers’ staffing schedule is especially critical for rural schools, many of which teeter on the edge of viability, where the loss of even a single mainstream post can trigger larger classes and reconfiguration.
This Government has repeatedly committed to reducing class sizes. Failure to act now would be a breach of trust with teachers, parents and the electorate.
There is still time to do the right thing. Deliver smaller class sizes and bring Ireland’s classroom conditions closer to the benchmark our children deserve. – Yours, etc,
AIDAN GAUGHRAN,
Clonmel,
Co Tipperary.
Back slapping and MetroLink
Sir, – I expect all sorts of back slapping and self-congratulatory messages from our Government representatives over the next few days following the announcement that MetroLink has received the go ahead (“MetroLink rail line gets green light,” October 2nd). I can already see some gleeful announcements on our local Facebook pages.
I think our media has a responsibility to temper this glee with a reminder that it was Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael who have repeatedly decided to defund and deprioritise this vital project over the last 20 years. They also presided over the planning quagmire that added further delay.
From 2007 and for about a decade afterwards, thousands of people moved into my area in north Dublin thinking that they would be able to quickly and easily access workplaces, schools and transport hubs from Swords to the city centre. These residents were repeatedly let down.
To solve our housing crisis we need to be able to build at higher density near to regular, reliable transport and the MetroLink is just one of the ways we can achieve this.
This will give a better quality of life to Dubliners for the next century. We must not let other rail projects fall victim to short-termism and delay.
I will be almost ready to retire by the time this is operational but I’m happy for the next generation who will skip the Drumcondra tailbacks, the M50 and airport traffic and will get to see their kids before bedtime.
But let’s not congratulate ourselves until it’s actually done. – Yours, etc,
DAVID O’REILLY,
Dublin.
Banks and vulture funds
Sir, – Once again, a bailed-out Irish bank, (“Cerberus bids for AIB problem loans portfolio”, September 29th) is potentially selling the loans of its Irish customers, at a steep discount, to a foreign acquirer or vulture fund.
The selling of loan portfolios by Irish lenders represents the failure to manage their businesses in the best interest of the community in which they operate.
The bank states it is their practice – “For customers in difficulty, our focus has been to put in place appropriate and sustainable solutions to help them to get back on track.”
It also says: “The bank’s preference is to provide solutions through customer engagement on a one-to-one basis.”
The above, however, is not the practice experienced by customers. Customers are never offered the steep discounts gained by vulture funds and have no choice as to where their loans end up.
The sale of loan portfolios is a betrayal and breach of trust. – Yours, etc,
HUGH McDERMOTT,
Dromahair,
Co Leitrim.
Politics of the presidency
Sir, – Michael McDowell describes Maria Steen as being divisive, whatever can be meant by that.
This term, which is highly pejorative, demands elaboration. I do not know Ms Steen, but I have an admiration for highly principled people, like I imagine her to be, and indeed like I believe Mr McDowell himself to be.
The term provokes all sorts of speculation. Does it mean that she is a trouble maker, who cannot get on with people, or who is unreliable, or whatever else?
I think Mr McDowell needs to explain. – Yours, etc,
JOHN O’RIORDAN,
Dalkey,
Dublin.
Sir, – Michael McDowell has clearly explained why he decided not to nominate Maria Steen and he should not be vilified for acting as he did (“Why I didn’t nominate Maria Steen for the presidency,” October 1st).
After all, he only acted as any politician might, to oppose those who hold a political ideology inimical his own.
But what I find chilling is his statement that Steen’s election “might very well have happened”, a view which I have heard other politicians and commentators express.
In effect what he saying is: “It is possible that a majority of citizens might support Maria Steen, so I am going to make sure they don’t get the chance to vote for her.”
This does not seem to be fair or democratic – regardless of whether one supports Mrs Steen’s candidacy or not. But that’s politics.
No doubt the successful candidate will be at pains to state that they are above politics. But like it or not, this presidential campaign is all about how political power is wielded to influence the outcome.
What this shows is that there has to be a way of nominating candidates that is independent of politicians, in the interests of fairness and true democracy. – Yours, etc,
JOHN DEATON,
Dundrum Road,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – Fintan O’Toole takes Catherine Connolly to task by describing her comments on Germany’s current military spending as a possible reflection of an “inner Basil Fawlty” (September 30th).
O’Toole makes strong and valid arguments against Connolly’s comments and she might consider responding in the pages of this newspaper. However, the dismissive and somewhat patronising tone of the “Basil Fawlty” analogy runs the risk of trivialising both Connolly and her comments.
It also sets a combative tone to a presidential election that, to date, has been largely respectful. The recent spectacle of disgraceful and disrespectful behaviour at the Ryder Cup surely demands that we do not follow the same path. – Yours, etc,
KIERAN MURPHY,
Monkstown,
Co Dublin.
Home births and access
Sir, – In many rural areas of Ireland pregnant women do not have access to an HSE home birth service. With the recent collapse of a private provider the chances area virtually zero. The birthplace choice they have is between the nearest maternity hospital and a freebirth.
Based on the home birth risks described by Dr Peter Boylan the question arises as to why some women still want to give birth at home (“Should home births be made more freely available? An obstetrician and a doula debate,” September 30th).
They are usually confident, well- informed and know they would rather give birth at home than in the medicalised environment their nearest maternity hospital has to offer.
As a pregnant woman you are just that, a woman who is pregnant and not a sick patient.
Overemphasis on risks and pain and the resulting clinical management of childbirth (with high intervention and Caesarean section rates) have alienated many women.
For them the utterly natural process of childbirth should be celebrated, encouraged and supported but not managed. They want to give it a go, at home with an experienced midwife in attendance. So what can we do to give them that choice? – Yours, etc,
CHRISTIANE LEAHY,
(Retired community midwife and now antenatal educator),
Moybeg,
Co Clare.
Snail mail
Sir, – My daughter has just received a letter from the Beacon Clinic. The letter was dated March 3rd, 2025, the postmark on the envelope was July 31st, 2025, delivered today October 1st, 2025.
Thankfully she had no medical emergency. – Yours, etc,
JOHN CORRIGAN,
Dalkey,
Dublin.
Flagging the flags
Sir, – It is interesting to listen to the presidential discussions about our national flag and potential changes should we become a united island. Trying to predetermine changes such as a new flag is putting the cart before the horse.
In many sports we play as one country. Squash is one such sport. Many years ago in the late 1970s, an Irish women’s squash team, of which I was a proud member, played in the World Championships in Canada. The team of six had three women from Northern Ireland and three members from the Republic.
We had to carry a flag in the opening ceremony. The six of us, in a very respectful conversation, made a decision to carry the flag of the four provinces. A very balanced compromise on that occasion.
Trying to predetermine in advance of a united people in a united Ireland is focusing on the detail when more serious issues in relation to a shared vision, the economy, agriculture and culture need to come first. – Yours, etc,
GINA MENZIES,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – Arising out of the various calls for a united Ireland and Border poll, I advise those calling for these developments to take a day trip to Belfast. They should get on the hop-on, hop-off tourist bus, and when it swings into east Belfast, particularly Sandy Row and Shankill Road, pay attention to the various murals, emblems and flags on display.
Thereafter, they should then consider how this culture and its trappings could be incorporated, respected and accommodated in a united Ireland.
The white in the Tricolour is the neutral part, the orange and green share equal prominence. – Yours, etc,
TIM BRACKEN.
Cork.
A good Gloss
Sir, – On this grey Thursday morning, with so much negativity and disturbing news in our media, it was a such a relief and a treat to open The Gloss and read of more uplifting matters. Thank you. – Yours, etc,
GABRIELLE HYLAND,
Glasnevin,
Dublin 11.
Customer service suggestion
Sir, – I could not agree more with John Rogers letter on customer service (October 1st). I was particularly taken by his idea that customers should be compensated for long waiting times on the telephone.
I have long observed and bemoaned the slow slide of customer service to the miserable standard most companies offer today.
Each improvement heralded by the business seems to result in worse customer service.
My suggestion is that we (the customers) should invoice companies not only for prolonged waiting times but also for the time we take to submit orders, update account details, confirm our security details, obtain proof of residency details and all the other ephemera which is demanded.
I have tried this myself on two occasions once with a public utility and although no direct financial benefit accrued I was provided with copious amounts of their product free, and secondly with a bank which did result in financial compensation.
I think the time has come for the customer to demand improvements or to withhold their patronage.
Maybe a national organisation could be created to apply pressure to the commercial sector. – Yours, etc,
DON URWIN,
Tubbercurry,
Co Sligo.
Sir, – Further to John Rogers’s eminently sensible suggestion (Letters, October 1st) that firms that keep customers on hold for more than five minutes be obliged to pay them a premium of ¤1 per minute thereafter, may I suggest that they should also be obliged to pay a further euro each time they use any of the following:
“Our lines are particularly busy at the moment;”
“Your call is important to us;” or,
“Thank you for holding; a representative will be with you shortly.”
Other readers may wish to add to this list. – Yours, etc,
FRANK E BANNISTER,
Donnybrook,
Dublin 4.
Ground rules and Gaza
Sir, – US president Donal Trump has said no American troops will be “on the ground” in Gaza as part of the peace plan for Gaza.
I expect, however, that under the Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energise Gaza he will have his builders, painters and decorators, etc, on the ground, to take full advantage of the financial opportunity offered by the reconstruction of Gaza. – Yours, etc,
PAUL GETHINGS,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.
Remembering Martin Mansergh
Sir, – I would like to add my few words of appreciation and admiration for the life and work of Martin Mansergh to those of Ian D’Alton (Letters, September 30th).
As a brilliant behind the scenes mediator and strategist, Martin played a unique role in the Northern Ireland peace process.
He deserves to be spoken of, alongside John Hume, David Trimble and Bertie Ahern, as one of the the heroes of that very difficult, sometimes dangerous initiative.
As a peaceful Southern republican, and a member of the Church of Ireland, he was uniquely placed to understand all political viewpoints on this island.
He was also a strong supporter of our efforts in the Armagh-based Centre for Cross Border Studies (now the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation) to research and develop practical north-south cooperation as part of that process.
We should all be grateful for his life of huge public and patriotic service to Ireland.
We will not see his like again. – Yours, etc,
ANDY POLLAK,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.
