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Irish Independent

Letters: Why we shouldn't be pushing Ireland's young people down the academic path

We in Ireland would do well to reflect. When I went to college in Belfast in the 1970s, a lecturer pointed to the grand homes on the Malone Road and said: 'Those are owned by contractors. The ones behind, by teachers, doctors and accountants.' The message was clear. Brains were respected, but bricklaying paid better. Yet we still steer too many down narrow academic paths, underselling apprenticeships and practical trades. Education has its own intrinsic worth, but it's not a guaranteed meal ticket. We should stop pretending it is. Less myth, more realism. Less snobbery, more respect for useful work. It's time for a reset. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran, Co Armagh Any delay to the usual presidential mud-slinging would be most welcome Media reports say that Fine Gael will likely choose a presidential candidate this week, but will not 'unveil' said person until early September. I should think other candidates will not be likewise 'unveiled' until then, either. Is this late list of 'runners and riders' perhaps a move to prevent the inevitable mud-slinging and worse that we have come to expect from the 'race for the Áras'? Hopefully, and thankfully, it will have the added bonus of protecting us from endless reams and broadcasts in the mainstream media of speculation, especially regarding how much mud will actually 'stick'. Peter Declan O'Halloran, Belturbet, Co Cavan An influencer in the Áras would be perfect way to create interest in politics The Irish presidential election is coming up, and there are also rumblings about lowering the voting age. However, younger voters do not necessarily create interested voters. To truly gain the interest of the youth, why not elect an influencer? ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Youth today are tech-obsessed and can barely manage to lift their eyes up from their smartphones. Kids know the difference between a trained pretender 'jumping on the TikTok bandwagon' and a natural influencer. Picture the scene, a photogenic influencer and her family walking up the lawn to move into Áras an Uachtaráin. It would be a setting worthy of any feature or supplement. There would be interest from the political scene, but also from the influencer's fans. It would generate masses of publicity, and it would be a fantastic representation of all that Ireland has to offer. Every Áras engagement would be a fantastic show of fashion and celebrity, with lots of great pictures. This would generate discussion in the media about the presidential influencer and his or her role. The election campaign alone would drive interest among young voters; and once elected, every picture, every event would be explained and analysed in depth by their online followers. It would create and educate the youth about what the president does, how they do it, and the significance of each ceremony. It would also generate income for 'Brand Ireland'. Every costume, suit, dress, piece of jewellery, would be examined in minute detail and drive sales of any Irish fashion pieces. Of course, there's the constitutional duties. These would be held up as the main argument against having an influencer as president. However, these constitutional powers are very limited. They include appointing a taoiseach, but, the word 'appointing' is a bit of a misnomer. The presidency is essentially a ceremonial role, and performing ceremonial duties is something that influencers do very well. They can stamp a bill, pose for photos and their millions of adoring fans would like, comment and share with the world. If a crisis did occur, the presidential influencer has the Council of State to advise them. Also, the Presidential Commission is there as a back-up if they need some recovery time. The presidential role is similar to an influencer's. They pose for pictures, perform ceremonies and boost the country. So why not give it to an actual influencer? Someone who embraces the media and engagement? This will enthral all followers of fashion, style and celebrity. Also, the youth will eat up every Instagram post and TikTok, which in turn will lead to more interest and participation in politics. Dr John Jennings, Knocknacarra, Galway America's loss could be Ireland's gain if we snap up the best and brightest Jenny Maguire's article ('For so many students, our options are: live with mammy or head to Australia', Irish Independent, July 7) could not come at a more opportune time for Ireland. US president Donald Trump and his cohorts are intent on emasculating American universities – sadly this occurred here in Australia with a prime minister endowed with a personal detestation of academics – to the detriment of research and development. This led to loss of manufacturing, along with the loss of leading academics, cherry-picked by other nations' universities. In 2025, Ireland's universities are well ranked internationally. Ireland as an English-speaking country is also ideally suited, and placed, to invest in inducing leading US university academics to work in Ireland. The history of the Regional Colleges of Ireland, and their present university status, illustrates that provision of education for all, seeking it from any nation on earth, benefits the national economy. It is time for Irish people to think outside the box and invest in 'their own' universities. Declan Foley, Melbourne, Australia Ukrainians continue to suffer as Putin runs rings around Donald Trump Russian president Vladimir Putin has told US president Donald Trump that Moscow will not step back from its goals in Ukraine. Putin has stressed that the Russians will not give up on eliminating all the root causes of the conflict, by which, of course, he means Ukrainian democracy and sovereignty. Putin appears to have tried to divert Trump's attention by promising all sorts of joint economic partnerships between the United States and Russia as soon as the conflict is over. But after three months of Trump saying he is not happy with the Putin, it is very unclear what he is willing to do. At this point, Putin appears to be serenely confident that he can carry on playing Trump like a violin.