Letters: Dónal Óg Cusack dug deep hole with his RTÉ tirade on Tailteann Cup

In raising the topic, Ms Cantwell allowed Dónal Óg a glorious opportunity to dig himself gracefully out of a hole that he himself had dug. Instead, he chose to dig ever deeper by engaging in semantics that would make the most gimlet-eyed Vatican canon lawyer appear reasonable.

As a venerable veteran viewing this, I could see Dónal Óg had experienced a Pádraig Flynn or a Brian Lenihan moment.

As a pundit, Dónal Óg is a class act, so surely on mature recollection he would be well-advised to tone down his tirade on the Tailteann Cup players.

Fr Iggy O’Donovan

Glen of Aherlow, Co Tipperary

We already know what booze does without label reminder

Good old Stephen Donnelly to the rescue again. Never mind fixing our crippled health service – it’s far more important to inform the nation of the harmful effects of drinking alcohol, to the point where we’re going to print the warnings on cans and bottle labels. Of course, as the renowned best pupil in the European Union class, we’ll be the first to do so.

Good man, Stephen. I’m just wondering what the major drinks companies are making of this ground-breaking legislation. Let’s consider a little prediction, shall we?

Well, now, Ireland, you can put whatever you like on your alcohol containers and labels. However, if you would like us to take the time and trouble to design special labels just for the relative paltry orders we get from the Emerald Isle, that comes at a cost. Or maybe it should be a secondary exercise.

Maybe we ought to set up a new government institution – let’s face it, we haven’t set one up in weeks – to stick these labels on before the ignorant Irish population get their grubby hands on them. And what a reaction we’ll get. Well, well – it’s says here that drink is bad for you.

No more of that drinking lark. Enough is enough. I’ve seen the label, I’m cured. Well done, Mr Donnelly. We appreciate it.

In essence, all this will do is alienate drinks distributors and again increase the price of alcohol.

Are they ever going to give the people of this country some credit for the ability to make their own decisions?

Eamon Kearney

Ayrfield Road, Dublin

Leo can take me to big events without fear of controversy

I would like to say I found Matt Barrett’s lack of manners when attending our nearest neighbour’s big day – the coronation of King Charles III – lamentable.

But even more troubling was An Taoiseach’s defence of his comments as merely those of a “private citizen”. Untrue. Mr Barrett was invited to accompany Mr Varadkar in his capacity as Taoiseach of the Irish people.

The next time the Taoiseach needs to be accompanied to an event of international significance, may I volunteer myself – Mrs Very Ordinary Private Irish Citizen?

Eibhlín Ní Thraoi

Dublin 20

Solution to refugees’ plight should be left to Brussels

As we read in the papers, there is ample evidence of the need to find new solutions to managing the increasing number of people seeking international protection. As we can see, the Government is leaving no stone unturned in trying to cope.

Apart from Ukrainians, there are many others who need to be accommodated.

The State may be about to copy what is happening in the UK with regard to the use of barges and ships.

There are also stories about more protests when it comes to housing refugees.

Wayne O’Connor, writing from Inch, Co Clare, described the difficulties there.

Your editorial of May 17 reminded us how any targeting of asylum-seekers is unjust and senseless.

In the same edition, we read about how cabinet ministers had clashed over the handling of refugee housing.

Your columnist, Ian O’Doherty, also wrote about how the torching of tents was a new low for Ireland

We further learned that migration has surged across the EU since the pandemic restrictions came to an end.

I would suggest the only way to manage is to charge the EU with responsibility for managing the project.

I would also suggest we encourage our American friends to divert some of the costs of arms for Ukraine to assisting Ukrainians displaced by the war there.

Hugh Duffy

Cleggan, Co Galway