Letters: Donald Trump is leading humanity’s worrying slide backwards – we must voice opposition

In under three months US president Donald Trump has taken actions that are devastating to humanity, resulting in a roll-back on human rights, women’s rights, poverty eradication, climate action and protection of civilians in conflict zones.

His deplorable suspension of overseas aid disproportionately affects the world’s most vulnerable populations, undermining decades of progress in areas such as health, education and access to food.

The withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a huge blow to global efforts to combat climate change.

His proposals to move the entire population of Gaza are illegal, immoral and dangerous. And the Trump administration’s actions to ban gender-affirming care and to put severe restrictions on reproductive rights is reprehensible.

This week the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and several Irish cabinet ministers travel to the US for St Patrick’s Day. The visits must be used to make clear that the Irish people are not supportive of the dangerous and concerning shifts in US policy.

The moment we are now living in demands courage. We have a voice, and that voice needs to be heard.

Karol Balfe, CEO ActionAid Ireland, Dublin 1

Why rocking the boat in the White House would be an act of national sabotage

Those who recommend that Micheál ­Martin should raise Gaza with Donald Trump and tell him a few home truths during his White House visit should seriously consider the ramifications.

For a couple of centuries, the US has taken in millions of Irish migrants – mostly with little complaint from America.

For a couple of decades, Ireland has taken in billions of American corporate income – mostly with little complaint from Ireland.

To maintain this relationship, all Ireland has to do, once a year, is get the Taoiseach to hand over a bowl of weeds as tribute to the US president.

This is a great deal for Ireland. Why would anyone recommend that the Taoiseach go to the White House and sabotage his own country?

Jason FitzHarris, Swords, Co Dublin

Martin speaks out of both sides of his mouth while dismantling ‘triple lock’

Micheál Martin wants to remove the United Nations element of the “triple lock” on Ireland’s involvement in overseas military operations because he no longer has faith in the UN.

This is hard to stomach, considering that only a few years ago he was part of the enormous and successful effort to gain a place for Ireland on the UN Security Council. This is the same Mr Martin who, only a few years back, declared that the triple lock was “the core of Irish neutrality”.

Without providing any evidence, he repeatedly talks of the threat of Russia and the “real fear in Europe about the Russian agenda”.

He believes he can get away with all this because he talks of the Irish people as being “a blissfully unaware population”.

We deserve more respect. We, the “blissfully unaware”, should be asked one question – do you believe in a future based on war, or one based on peace?

Brian Smyth, Ratoath, Co Meath

I’m not sure scrapping our neutrality on eve of World War III is a brilliant idea

No one doubts Micheál Martin’s strategic genius, but scrapping neutrality on the eve of World War III may not be his best idea.

Instead, let’s have a whip-round to buy our dear leader a second-hand Sherman Tank he can drive around the Phoenix Park on weekends. It achieves as much, costs less and no one gets hurt, bar the odd deer.

Aidan Harte, Naas, Co Kildare

Taoiseach should focus on apologising to the Native Americans for land theft

Irish commentators are hoping that Micheál Martin emerges from his meeting with Donald Trump with Ireland’s reputation and dignity intact.

Somehow I think the rightful owners and original inhabitants of the US, now existing on reservations with their land appropriated and culture almost destroyed, might prefer an apology, at least, from the representatives of the immigrant invasion.

Eugene Tannam, Dublin 24

Sometimes a gas story can underline the need for good manners in society

Enda Cullen’s letter on basic good manners (‘We may need awareness drive to help encourage basic good manners’, Irish Independent, Letters, March 10) reminds me of the man who took issue with a fellow male diner, who belched loudly, castigating him thus: “How dare you belch in front of my wife.”

“I most humbly apologise, I didn’t realise it was her turn,” replied the offender.

Tom Gilsenan, Dublin 9

Allowing for there to be freer speech surely leads to more balanced debate?

Adrian Weckler’s article (‘TikTok’s Irish workers may be casualties of US ban and Trump’s hatred of content moderation’, Irish Independent, March 7) raises interesting questions.

However, he doesn’t, or cannot, explain the difference between moderation and censorship, except to imply that the Trump/Musk administration regards content moderation as censorship.

He goes on to refer to “more extreme speech from the Musk/Trump end of the political system such as transgender rights”. Who decides what is extreme? In a free society, I thought it should be accepted that all important issues should be debated in a fair and balanced manner.

I do not see evidence that this is happening and it seems that it will not happen if “content moderation” equates to closing down legitimate debate.

Mary Stewart, Ardeskin, Donegal

Do nurses have the bottle for industrial action in our maternity services?

Anne-Marie Walsh’s article (Irish Independent, March 10) tells us that nurses and midwives might be taking industrial action.

The question that must be asked is: If this happens, who will be left holding the baby?

Noel Kelly

Doonbeg, Co Clare