She reminds us that while healthcare may be organised in systems, its success or failure is always experienced in human terms – by patients, families and staff alike.
I recognise the importance of targets and data in improving services. But if targets become the sole measure of success, we risk creating a system that meets benchmarks while quietly breaking the people inside it.
When we stop caring about people, we stop healing altogether. As Maya Angelou said: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
If Ireland leads with empathy, it could quietly become a global leader – not just in outcomes, but in the culture of care.
Enda Cullen, Tullysaran, Armagh
Australia’s speedy election count is a thing of wonder – Ireland should take note
On Saturday, May 3, Australian polling stations opened between 8am and 6pm. Three hours later, the unofficial result was accepted by the main party leaders.
How is this possible where each and every vote is on paper, and there are no computers involved in the voting process? At 6.01pm every polling station becomes a count centre. The count is solely for the lower house – as the Senate polling paper is usually about three-feet wide, this is the second order of the night.
Election candidates are permitted two registered scrutineers to observe the count. The scrutineers compare figures, ensuring accuracy on the ground. Between 7pm and 8pm, the polling station results begin to flow into the Electoral Commission and party headquarters in each state.
Prior to election day, there is pre-polling for two weeks, as well as postal voting. These votes are counted after polling day, but rarely change the number of seats claimed by any candidate. On Monday all ballot papers are moved to Canberra, where there are further recounts, before the official figure is made public.
With a similar system to the Ireland’s proportional representation, a nation that is a continent, with different time zones, can complete a mammoth task in record time.
Declan Foley, Melbourne, Australia
Compulsory voting can help our young people make their voices heard
As polling predicted, the Australian prime minister’s left-leaning Labour Party comfortably won re-election against the backdrop of an anti-Trump backlash. And just like in the Canadian federal elections, the opposition conservative party not only lost but their party leader forfeited their seat as well (‘Election win gives Anthony Albanese a strong hand to deal with Trump’, Irish Independent, May 5).
It is also worth pointing out that Australia has mandatory voting in federal elections for over a century now with 90pc-plus turnout being the norm. Every eligible voter gets a say, including its young people.
Contrast that with Ireland, where many young people believe they don’t have a voice and that their optional participation at the ballot box won’t make an iota of a difference.
With plans afoot in the UK and possibly here as well to lower the voting age for young people, it would make much more sense to bring in mandatory voting.
This would change the whole narrative of parliamentary elections. Not only would politicians have to then properly listen to young people’s concerns (housing being the most pressing), but the media and the press would be forced to follow through as well. At present it is just lip service and nothing really changes.
Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry
Higgins deserves respect for representing the Irish public’s views on Gaza
I believe we should commend President Michael D Higgins for his continuing comments on the situation in Gaza. During the recent funeral of the Pope, only President Higgins mentioned Gaza and the plight of the Palestinians. All other leaders of the so-called free and democratic world, including our Taoiseach and Tánaiste, remained silent.
I suggest the Government is doing what politicians do best – speaking out of both sides of their mouths at the same time. Expressing “concern” for the people of Gaza. Calling for a ceasefire. But failing/refusing to take any direct action against the government of Israel. This, despite the continuing Israeli government and “settler” actions against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
The people of Ireland have clearly shown support for the Palestinian people. Yet our Government refuses to act. I hope the electorate will remember this in the next election.
Michael Moriarty, Rochestown, Cork
Camogie players should be free to wear shorts if that’s what they want
There should be no rule in any rulebook that discriminates against girls or women wearing shorts in sport – that is the long and short of it.
Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18
People may not choose addiction, but decisions have consequences
There’s an ad currently on the radio where the presenter Jennifer Zamparelli says “nobody chooses addiction”. This suggests that we don’t have free will.
For sure, some people’s background and the environment in which they live may leave them more disposed to addictive behaviour, yet one still chooses to open that bottle, snort that cocaine, gamble on that race, etc. It’s one’s choices over time that lead to addiction.
This isn’t to say that it’s easy to overcome once one has gone down such a path. However, individual willpower is key in overcoming the habit.
Brendan Corrigan, San Martin de los Llanos, Colombia
Government should steer clear of pop culture and focus on serious matters
The Taoiseach says Kneecap must “urgently clarify” their stance on Hezbollah. The Tánaiste says Adolescence should be “compulsory viewing” in schools. What’s next, a cabinet statement on Mickey Rourke’s expulsion from the Big Brother house?
Nobody outside of the media bubble cares about this trivia. The Government should stop chasing headlines and do their jobs.
Aidan Harte, Naas, Co Kildare