The office of taoiseach should not be used or abused to promote the interest of one particular group. Leo Varadkar stated that he would use the office to promote gay interests. He has gone so far as to take his campaign to Northern Ireland, out of his jurisdiction. The gay community have had an enormous amount of political attention and it is getting completely out of control.
Issues like health service badly need attention – so much so that doctors are now sounding alarm bells over waiting lists which are backed up many years.
Gay this and gay that, there is hardly a day goes by when gay matters are not put to the top of the agenda. The gay community will not take a word of criticism either about their outlandish displays of sexual flaunting and the arrogance of in-your-face Pride festivals. Everybody must be politically correct or face the wrath of fanatics who believe they are always on the high moral ground.
The straight community are not ‘proud’ and there is no need for the gay community to be either. Leo Varadkar’s involvement at the Pride festival in Northern Ireland shows how far things have gone. If a British prime minister was to usher or participate in an Irish lobby on Irish soil there would be the utmost trouble. However, it seems acceptable for an Irish head of government to get involved in the legislative affairs of Northern Ireland in lobbying for one particular group. Leo Varadkar is becoming a gay icon and a public relations machine for gay people, which is not what the office of taoiseach should be about. The media are also giving him an high level of protection, while the Irish health service crumbles and crumbles. Ironically, Mr Varadkar was a doctor in his professional life before becoming a politician, yet his sexual orientation seem to be dominating his life at the present moment. He cannot be a champion for gay people and ignore everything else.
The country is falling apart with key services being taken out of lime light in lieu of pride festivals and bleating heart demagoguery about the need to recognise gay people. They have been recognised – now let’s move on to other things.
The whole gay movement has got out of control. Gay flags are up everywhere and almost required at this stage on government buildings. There are also special commercial interests who are fellow travellers of the gay community which get a great spin-off selling their wares.
The gay community have had enough political attention and now it is time to deal with other matters which affect people’s lives and the country. The problem with the gay movement, like all movements, is that they can move too far.
MAURICE FITZGERALD
Shanbally, Co Cork
No-one has the right to deliberately destroy life
The Irish News (August 5)) reported on the prominent placing of three Queen’s University students’ union officers close to Leo Varadkar wearing jumpers bearing a pro-abortion slogan, during the taoiseach’s recent visit to Belfast.
These three students’ union officers, with their request to the taoiseach that a referendum on the 8th Amendment take place before the exodus of students abroad for the summer, attempt to give the impression that Irish young people are abortionist.
Thank God many of our young Irish people, north and south, are pro-life. They recognise the truth about abortion and the pernicious lie of so-called ‘full bodily autonomy’ for women, promoted by the abortion industry and its lobbyists.
Many young Irish people, including students at all Irish universities, are prepared to oppose the evil of abortion. They will not be fooled by abortionist propaganda.
Intentional abortion – the act of deliberately aborting an unborn child – is always intrinsically evil. The unborn child, in his and her mother’s womb, is not part of the woman’s body. He and she has unique personhood and a separate identity from the mother.
Full bodily autonomy, properly understood, does not extend to the separate body of the unborn child entrusted to the mother, to be nurtured and brought to birth with love.
No man or woman has the right to deliberately destroy the life of another human being – both born and unborn.
Fr PATRICK McCAFFERTY
Belfast BT12
Echo of her master’s voice
To pay MLAs quite significant amounts of money at a time when nurses can’t achieve a 1 per cent pay increase is just not acceptable (July 31).
Does the northern leader of Sinn Féin ,Michelle O’Neill, agree that payment of at least £1m a month is just not acceptable and must stop? She, together with her party colleagues have utterly failed to keep faith with the electorate by not even bothering to turn up to do any work for which they unashamedly expect to be paid – even taking a prolonged holiday rather than engaging in talks to revive the assembly to which they were elected last March.
She has found the time to criticise payments to hospital consultant staff who, not only turn up to work, but dedicate themselves to care for all patients at all times over decades and sometimes in very difficult and life threatening situations.
It is disappointing that this former health minister fails to appreciate the role consultants from the chief medical officer down, have faithfully played in the delivery of health care to all of the people.
Perhaps she could do no better that emulate their example and be a leader for all people rather than an echo of her master’s voice.
Dr J MAGINNESS
Omagh, Co Tyrone
Shocked at hysterical tirade
I’m sure I was not the only reader shocked at Leona O’Neill’s hysterical tirade of abuse directed at James Woods (July 25). Hollywood actor Woods expressed his disgust at the couple who dressed their young son in girl’s clothes and allowed him to parade at a so-called gay pride march, in the US.
Yes he could have used less forceful language, but he was still entitled to his viewpoint. It is depressing to know that in society here there are those who are in agreement with the behaviour of this child’s parents.
There was also the absurd claim that very young children can pick and choose which gender they want to be and even more ludicrous to suggest that a three-year-old can be aware of being gay, straight or anything else. Parents have a duty to show their child the difference between right and wrong and to set a good example at all times. In scriptures there is a chilling and severe warning for those who corrupt the moral and spiritual upbringing of their children. That would seem to apply in this case.
J DIAMOND
Coleraine, Co Derry
Expression of thanks
May we say a big thank you to all the youth team of the Down and Connor Lourdes Pilgrimage who worked so hard during this year’s pilgrimage.
It is hard work pushing wheelchairs up and down three times every day and be always so happy and helpful. Goes to show all young people are not bad. You are all a credit to your families.
Thank you all for the help and support. We are so proud of you and I am sure all others that you helped think the same. Great group of kids.
St PAUL'S DISABILITY LOURDES GROUP
