Europe dictated we took action on 'party drug'

From Mary Harney

In your last issue, in a short piece titled 'Wealth minister: Harney a hero for drug gangs', Diarmuid Doyle suggested that by banning the so-called 'party drug' BZP, despite the fact there had been "no profoundly negative effect on society" there is now "another way for gangs to make a fortune from illegal drugs".

Readers, who were advised that the decision to ban the drug was made on April's Fool's Day, were being invited to believe that it was unnecessary, foolish and simply played into the hands of drug gangs.

In fact, possibly unknown to the author, the decision ultimately came on foot of a meeting of the European Council in March 2008 which decided that EU member states must move to control BZP.

The council, comprising EU ministers, had given consideration to a 'risk assessment' of BZP carried out by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

Had Ireland not moved to ban the sale of BZP, we would have been in breach of European law. Furthermore, considerable discussion on the issue had taken place here in Ireland with strong local calls for a ban.

I know it would be wrong of me to suggest that Diarmuid is arguing for drugs to be banned only when there is proof of a "profound negative effect on society". But I trust readers will agree that it would be negligent of Ireland not to take action in the context of such a considered European-wide initiative.

Minister Mary Harney,

Department of Health,

Hawkins House,

Hawkins Street,

Dublin 2.

Irish speakers can effect change for the better

From Darren J Prior

Last November Bank of Ireland made the decision to have a Gaeilge option on its ATMs in shops. It has now extended the option to all of its ATMs. According to the Nuacht on TG4, it said its decision was in response to the demand from customers, so it is clear that Irish speakers have been using the option since last November. Having been a member of Cork-based Irish-language marketing organisation Gael-Taca, I know that the support is there amongst the majority of the business community for the Irish language.

Direct lobbying by Irish speakers affected the decision by Bank of Ireland, which illustrates that good things can be achieved when gaeilgeoirí put their minds to trying to effect change for the good of the language.

I hope that this story will encourage Irish speakers to try to effect more change.

Darren J Prior

Loiste an Labhrais,

Caisleán Cnucha,

Baile Átha Cliath 15.

Banned BZP has serious negative medical effects

From Grainne Kenny

As a reader of Diarmuid Doyle's column I was more than a little surprised at his criticism of Minister Harney's banning of BZP. Doyle wrote that BZP has been on sale for years with no profoundly negative effect.

My difficulty stems from my personal experience in family support. BZP was introduced in 1944 as a worming agent in cattle. It was not very effective, so lay idle until its euphoric effects were discovered and it was introduced as an adulterant in illicit drugs. It was then sold at 80 times the cost of the raw ingredient, making it very profitable indeed for the illicit-drugs industry. BZP can cause death when combined with MDMA, a component in ecstasy. Long term, it can cause seizures, irregular heartbeat, rises in blood pressure, fainting and impotence. Acute psychosis and renal toxicity are also factors. It is already banned in New Zealand, parts of Australia, the US and many EU states. It is under review in the UK.

This is more than a personal opinion. It is the opinion of medical and scientific experts advising the EU Council in Brussels. I was there in January 2008 when the council advised member states to ban BZP. My criticism of Minister Harney would stem from my wonderment at her delay.

Grainne Kenny

Glenageary,

Co Dublin.

Congregations must take some blame for Ryan

From Fiona Neary

Contributions to the RTé radio Spirit Level programme on Sunday 28 June demonstrate that there is a continued need to hold to account congregations who even still wish to cast themselves as victimised and betrayed. If they are betrayed it is by themselves and arises from their inability to accept responsibility and to do the right and indeed Christian thing, again and again.

Fr Flannery expressed great dissatisfaction at certain Catholic bishops' responses to the Ryan report. In particular he spoke of the members of congregations' sense of "enormous anger" and "betrayal" at what they perceive as the bishops leading public criticism and making scapegoats of them.

We feel this position articulated by Fr Flannery illustrates the ongoing inability of many congregations to understand what is required of them given the litany of individual and institutional failings and betrayal of children, society and Christianity.

The congregations' track record in relation to victims, the process of breaking the silence, the commission, the redress board and the Ryan report leaves a lot to be desired. Survivors were vilified and disbelieved throughout the process, and again Fr Flannery took the opportunity on Sunday to make allegations of false reporting by survivors. The commission was obstructed by congregations. Many survivors felt bruised, bullied and harassed by the congregations as they moved through the commission and redress procedures. Upon release of the Ryan report, many of the congregations' first response was to issue statements defending themselves, including "apologies".

Under pressure, not least from the bishops but certainly not led by them, the response was to deliver fresh apologies that seemed to contain some of the levels of accountability and remorse that were necessary. They added that they would make further resources voluntarily available and work with survivors to decide how best to distribute same. Under pressure the government insisted that any such resources should be transparently and independently decided upon and distributed. As part of a government assessment of what further reparations are fair, a report on the assets of the congregations is being conducted by congregations on themselves. The independent audit of those reports will be conducted by a panel of three independent experts. One of the key lessons of the Ryan report is that transparency and accountability are vital where services are being delivered to vulnerable members of our society. Support of such scrutiny by any group or individual providing services is a fundamental requirement.

We would suggest that Catholic bishops would not have had to intervene and speak contrary to the positions being expressed by the congregations had the congregations' responses been acceptable in the first place.

Fiona Neary,

Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI),

Galway,

Co Galway.

Same-sex union agenda
distracts from economy

From Noel Gorman

It's no wonder that nothing is being done to give our economy a lift. You see, the government is too busy pushing the same-sex union agenda.

Brian Cowen and his gang tell us that guarantees have been given to Ireland to choose our own law on abortion and "other ethical issues". It appears to me that such guarantees, which will supposedly become protocols, are useless, given that it is the European Court of Human Rights who will decide all our fates if the EU constitution is passed. The term "other ethical issues" has been constantly used since the last referendum by those who hope those of us who object to such evil behaviour would assume they would not proceed with legislation for homosexuals. And Cowen has the cheek to ask us to vote 'Yes' to the EU constitution, expecting us to trust him?

Well, Mr Cowen, you have put the final nail in your coffin, judging by the publication of the Civil Partnership Bill. No one can trust you now. It's a shame you have not got the courage to say 'No' to the EU and to your friend, Mr Cuffe of the Green Party. You don't deserve to be one more day in power, and you are a disgrace to your county and country.

Noel Gorman,

Edenderry,

Co Offaly.