Ireland’s Embassy to the Holy See
I note from the “Political Notes” in last week’s Newsletter that Derek Keating T.D. has written to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade about the Government’s distinctly anti catholic decision to close Ireland’s Embassy to the Holy See as he, along with some Deputies, disagree with the closure.
It would be helpful to know what other Deputies disagree with this decision. I do hope Deputy Keating is successful in securing a reversal of this disgraceful decision or, if he is unsuccessful, that he at least gets a more satisfactory reply than I received. The private secretary to the Minister wrote to me on 12th December 2011 stating inter alia that it was with the greatest regret and reluctance that this decision had to be made and that:
“This decision is in line with the tough choices that the Government must make to address the current economic challenges that face the country. Our targets under the EU/IMF programme and our need to reduce public expenditure mean that cuts to public expenditure must be made across a wide range of public services, including the diplomatic service.”
This explanation sounds distinctly hollow in the context of a government that can at the same time, according to last Saturday’s Irish Times, spend over €3.3 million on special advisers. This figure includes over €400,000 on advisers to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign affairs and Trade himself, i.e. approximately half the apparent cost of maintaining a resident Embassy in the Holy See!
Yours sincerely
Michael Grant
Politicians and South Dublin
Co. Council please take note
When walking downhill from Esker Graveyard to Lucan Village (behind Topaz Petrol Station - Esker hill Road) in December, I noticed a bulge in the old stone wall on the left hand side as I neared Mount Gandon. I don’t regularly use that road so I was quite alarmed when it appeared that the bulge was worse on Sunday last. There is a large tree above the bulge and it looks like it is causing the problem and may fall itself in due course. It is of concern because it appears to hold back a lot of soil and if it rains heavily, would be likely to collapse out on the road running alongside and it would be too late for traffic coming down the hill to stop. If pedestrians were passing there could be a very serious accident particularly if the tree also fell.
I would appreciate if whoever is responsible for this wall, be it the council or/and adjoining owners, could have an engineer look at it as a matter of urgency before someone is hurt.
Thank you,
Miriam Walsh
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