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Time to say Yes to Palestinian State
Last
week the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin visited
Israel, the West Bank and Jordan. It was an opportunity for the Irish
government to take a firm stand against Israeli aggression and its apartheid
system of governance. Instead Mr. Martin became little more than a commentator
on the ongoing and worsening crisis in that region.
While
Mr. Martin was occasionally critical in his public remarks of the expansion of
Israeli settlements into Palestinian land and concerned at the daily attacks by
Israeli settlers on Palestinian homes and families there was little of
substance to his visit. With Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu making
clear there would be no change in Israeli policy and his government’s veto over
any possibility of viable negotiations toward a peace agreement, it needs more
than meaningless rhetoric from An Tánaiste. It needs action from the Irish
government to give peace a chance.
Three months ago members
of the ‘Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
including East Jerusalem’, visited Dublin. The Commission was established by
the United Nations following the 11-day Israeli bombardment of the besieged
Gaza Strip in May 2021. Two hundred and fifty Palestinians and 13 Israeli’s
were killed in that period. While praising the cross party approach in Leinster
House the Commissioners said “at this stage of the situation on the ground,
mere statements – no matter how progressive are not sufficient. We need more
action.”
There
was no action from Mr. Martin. Rather he chose to urge the Palestinian leaders
“to take risks in terms of the pursuit of peace.”
In 2015 the Oireachtas supported a motion calling
on the Irish government to recognise the State of Palestine. It
refuses to do so claiming that such a move must be part of a new peace
agreement. And yet Micheál Martin last week acknowledged that on the basis of
his conversations with Israeli leaders: “I don’t see any immediate signs of a
change in direction.” And why should they when the Irish government and others
stand aside and facilitate Israeli aggression?
If the Irish government is serious
about peace in the Middle East it should move immediately toward
recognising the State of Palestine and using its membership of the European
Union and the United Nations and its international influence to
persuade others to do likewise. It’s time for action.
Raising
Awareness about Sepsis
The
month of September has been designated as Sepsis Awareness Month. Sepsis is not
a condition that often attracts attention but across the island of Ireland
annually there are an estimated twenty two thousand cases of sepsis. Of these,
approximately three and half thousand victims die. In the South sepsis kills
more people than breast cancer, prostate cancer and AIDS combined. Sepsis also
is the number one killer in deaths in hospitals in the USA. Every year 350,000
people die from it.
While
thousands of miles apart two Irish families, one in Ireland and the other in
the USA, who have been tragically touched by sepsis, have initiated campaigns
to draw attention to this silent killer.
In New
York in 2012 Rory Staunton, the 12 year old son of Ciaran and Orlaith, died
four days after taking ill. I knew Rory. He was an articulate, enthusiastic,
intelligent and very astute young person. He fell ill after playing basketball
in school where he slightly cut his arm in a fall. Overnight he became
feverish, vomited and developed a pain in his leg. He was taken to hospital
where essential warning signs were missed. He eventually ended up in intensive
care but four days after the accident he died of septic shock.
Ciaran
and Orlaith established the ‘End Sepsis, the legacy of Rory Staunton’
Foundation and have fought tirelessly since then to introduce ‘Rory’s
Regulations’ – new rules and protocols - to ensure that medical staff are
trained to recognise the symptoms of sepsis. It is estimated that 20,000 lives
in New York State alone have been saved by their efforts.
Last
week the case of 15 year old Seán Hughes from Dublin was highlighted. He died
from sepsis in 2018. His father Joe described his son as a “healthy young man”
who was a “singer, entertainer, comedian and best friend to all who had the
pleasure of knowing him.” Seán was a well known and popular rapper who had
performed under the stage name Lil Red in the Aviva Stadium and the National
Concert Hall.
In
January 2018 he came home from school with what appeared to be flu-like
symptoms similar to a chest infection. He was eventually taken to hospital
where doctors “were baffled as they had absolutely no clue what was wrong.”
Sean died after four days. The family only discovered at the inquest that the
cause of death was sepsis, a disease they had never heard of before.
Like
Ciaran and Orlaith in New York Seán’s parents, Joe and Karen, decided to raise
public awareness about sepsis. They have established ‘Lil Red’s Legacy Sepsis
Awareness Campaign.’ This includes Sean’s parents going to schools, colleges
and sports clubs to make their presentation.
Well
done to these two families who have courageously who despite their heartache
are actively involved in trying to help others.
Awareness
is hugely important but so too is training and resources for family doctors and
hospitals. If you have concerns information on sepsis is available at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/sepsis and https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/ncps/sepsis/
Sláinte
A friend of mine has told me that he is thinking of giving up
the drink. He has been saying the same thing for the last ten years so you will
understand if I dont take him too seriously. In the past his desire to be
abstemious coincided with his hangovers. When the hangover retreated
so did his desire to be teetotal. But this time he seems to be more
serious.
“It’s my age” he told me “I’m not fit to drink the way I used
to. A couple of pints and I’m stupored. And then I have to run
to the toilet for the rest of the night, especially in the middle of the night.
My bladder does be like a hard hat.”
He looked at me across the table. We were in a pub. He was drinking alcohol
free beer.
“Alcohol free beer misses the whole
point” I observed. “And it probably has the same porous effect on your bladder.”
“Probably so” he replied. “But the taste is the same and you don’t feel like a tube drinking water or
a soft drink in company. There is also a limit on how much water you can drink.”
He gazed forlornly at my pint.
“We Irish drink too much anyway”, he continued.
“No more than any other society” I suggested.
“Maybe so” he conceded “but we drink differently. We drink
to get drunk. Others drink with their food or in a measured way. A few glasses. Not us. We go out for a session. To
get plastered. I can’t hack getting stocious any more.”
“Fair enough” I agreed with him. “So drink less. You don’t need to get legless.”
“I rarely get legless” he responded.
“I’m well able to hold my drink. You
know that. But having just one or two drinks on a night out? That’s easier said than done.” He said sadly.
“First you get the bottle. Then the
bottle gets you.”
“So how long are you off the drink” I asked.
“Since last night.”
“I wish you well” I replied, resisting the temptation to ridicule him.
“I will let you know how I get on”, he smiled
determinedly.
“Are you off buying drink as well” I queried. “Mines a pint and it’s your round.”
“Maith go leor” he said.
“By the way a wee bit of advice for you” I continued.
“Don’t broadcast it that you are off the
drink. Too many of our friends take pleasure when people go on the
wagon and then fall off it again. Just say you’re not drinking that night.
You’re driving. Or you’re minding the grand kids. Or you have something to do
early in the morning.”
“Good advice” he said. “Dont you tell anyone.”
“Ok” I replied. “My lips are sealed.”
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