Letters: When the applause for Natasha O’Brien dies down, then perhaps TDs can pass laws to protect women

If only those who rose to their feet and looked towards the public gallery would now put the same energy into addressing the reasons the young woman had to speak up.

Peter Declan O’Halloran, Belturbet, Co Cavan

Aer Lingus pilots could agree to part of a pay rise now for passengers’ sake

It beggars belief that Aer Lingus and Ialpa can’t come to an agreement in the short-term rather than playing war games of strikes and disruption that may very well cost the lower-paid employees in Aer Lingus when a resolution is ultimately found.

The well-paid pilots will not suffer. It is nothing short of greed in seeking a 24pc rise to cover inflation, which was not of Aer Lingus’s making.

Further, I can’t understand why the Labour Court has to wait until July 1 before giving us an update on the state of play between the parties. The public is well aware of what the position is. It’s in the news every day.

A simple solution is to lock down an agreement to take the 12.5pc pay increase offered without any conditions, then negotiate on the remaining 11.5pc sought, be it to include improvements in productivity and flexibility or not.

The mentally of striking or working to rule needs to change when it is ultimately an attack on the public – the customers both parties need to show more consideration towards.

We are only out of a pandemic that shut down travel. Who knows what’s around the corner or in those skies above?

Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18

We have lost two giants of broadcasting in Gorman and Ó Muircheartaigh

The sad news that icon of sport Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh and icon of news Tommie Gorman have departed this world is a huge loss to all of us who listened to their different narratives and stories over many decades.

Ó Muircheartaigh was a sporting legend who regaled us with some of the funniest moments in GAA when commentating on games. His insight into players and the game was phenomenal.

Most of us who listened to him will remember many of the stories he told and his quips when commentating on hurling or football games around the country.

“The first half they played with the wind, the second half they played with the ball.”

Or the time he was in New York looking for his local newspaper, The Kerryman, at a news-stand, only to be asked by the man selling the newspapers: “Do you want the north Kerry edition or the south Kerry edition?” So Ó Muircheartaigh bought both. That tale was related while commentating on a game while a player was injured on the ground.

Gorman was an investigative journalist and a man of great honesty and integrity who was unafraid to ask the hard, probing questions when it came to politics or sport. The most famous came when interviewing Roy Keane after the Saipan incident, hardline republicans and unionists or failed tycoons

So many of our great icons of sport and news have departed this world over the past decade or more.

Christy Galligan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Micheál led an enriching life and his talents made ours lives all the better

We are all bereft at the loss of Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh.

Let us set aside our grief with the comforting knowledge that at 93 he lived a full life, deeply enriching ours with his unique broadcasting talents.

Let’s comfort ourselves with what they say in Daingean Uí Chúis (Dingle): “Tá sé imithe ar shlí na fírinne.”

“He has gone now the way of truth.”

Kevin McDermott, Dublin 6

Biden could pick up the phone today and end the war and carnage in Gaza

This week, two children’s schools were bombed, one of them under the auspices of the UNWRA. At least 24 people were massacred in the continuing war in Gaza. Israel won’t cease its offensive or its expansion.

The US has 50 states, but Republicans and Democrats appear to be solid supporters of Israel, which seems to have become conjoined with the US.

In terms of cash and weaponry and the undermining of institutions such as the UN, the US has nailed its colours to the Israeli mast.

Eisenhower in 1956 during the Suez Crisis faced down Israel, France and Britain in their attempt at invading Egypt. He saw the abuse of vested interests in the Middle East.

US president Joe Biden has only to lift the Oval Office phone and the carnage halts. He won’t be allowed to, such has been the shift in US politics.

Johnny Cuffe, Meath

If Hamas relented and gave up Israeli hostages, this conflict would stop

If Dr Mohammad Salha and the other medics in Gaza want a ceasefire, why don’t they just ask Hamas? (‘Gaza’s exhausted and traumatised medics need a ceasefire’, Irish Independent, June 26).

Online reports say a Kurdish doctor, Baxtiyar Baram, volunteered in Gaza’s Kamal Adwan and Al-Awda Hospitals from April 28 to May 22. He said he saw senior Hamas members hiding in the hospitals. He discovered that part of one hospital was even reserved for “VIPs” and not ordinary Gazans.

There would be a ceasefire in Gaza tomorrow if Hamas released its Israeli hostages and placed its arms beyond use. Perhaps Dr Salha should tell them.

Karl Martin, Dublin 13

Vulnerable consumers who cannot afford gas and electric deserve discounts

The discriminatory practices of energy suppliers in not affording customers who choose to receive paper billing the same loyalty discounts as direct debit customers has a negative outcome for the people who are in most financial need of these discounts, namely the elderly and those with disabilities.

These groups have a disproportionate preference in comparison with other consumers to receive their bills in the post, which is their right.

These practices by the energy suppliers may be legal, but they are morally repugnant and the Government should be putting pressure on the commission for regulation of utilities to exert its influence in order to change this practice.

Eamonn O’Hara, Co Donegal