Galway Advertiser 2004/2004_10_28/GA_2810_E1_022.pdf 

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22

LETTERS

October 28 2004

Hold on Christmas, it's not even Halloween yet
Dear Editor, I am writing to say how disgusted I am at the amount of Christmas decorations and gifts already on sale in shops. It isn't even Halloween yet, and some shops have already moved the Halloween costumes to make way for the Christmas stuff. I have even got carols stuck in my head from the number of Christmas adverts on the television. Nearly one quarter of the whole year is given over to Christmas trading, and I think this prolonged build up takes away from the enjoyment and special feeling of Christmas itself. Yours, Cal McLoughlin age 11 46 Poracarron Knocknacarra

We gave women what they want, say promoters
Dear Editor, I write in response to a number of points raised by your reader Ms O'Malley with regard to What Women Want, in your issue of October 14 and, in particular, to clarify some inaccuracies. Almost 5,000 women turned out at Leisureland for What Women Want, on October 3. Exhibitors were delighted with the numbers of attendees and the reaction we have received so far from exhibitors and attendees, with the exception of Ms O'Malley, has been very positive. Many of the 40 exhibitors at the show offered free samples of their products, demonstrations of their services, as well as special offers and discounts only available at the show. In addition there were numerous opportunities to win valuable prizes. Thousands of packets of crisps, shampoo, and shower gel samples and magazines were given away at the show. These `goodie bags' were not advertised and were kept as an extra bonus on the day. What your reader doesn't seem to realise is that free samples have to be paid for by someone and we, at Midnight Promotions, were delighted to get the support we did from our suppliers. The September issue of Galway Now, which your reader complains about, had a full page article advertising the show and its exhibitors, which was the reason for its inclusion. The ticket price for What Women Want was very competitive when compared with other events taking place in the city and outside. In our experience the entry fee to other events often exceeds 10 for a fashion show alone. There was huge demand for the fashion shows and people did begin queuing 15 to 30 minutes before each show. Unfortunately,we were restricted to 200 seats per show, which we could safely fit in the staging area. To try to accommodate the large crowds we put on an extra fashion show at 5pm and arranged for two 32" plasma screens to broadcast the shows to those without seats -- these screen were the largest size available and hardly the small TV screens suggested by your reader. Contrary to Ms O'Malley's report, there is a restaurant in Leisureland, which offers a range of snacks and beverages. Many of our visitors took advantage of this, popping out several times for refreshments between browsing, shopping, and watching the fashion shows. It is impossible to please everyone and obviously your reader feels she did not get good value for money. However, it is obvious to us from the feedback we received, both on the day and from reviewing market research forms completed at the show, that many women feel that there is a market for exhibitions of this type in Galway and found What Women Want a refreshing change from the magic mops and vegetable slicers on offer at other exhibitions. Most felt they had an enjoyable experience and the phrase "a great day out with the girls" was used often. Several respondents even commented that they had been to Off the Rails Live, at the RDS and would prefer What Women Want, as it was betterorganised and showcased products and services available locally. I might further add that we had 25 staff members on duty in Leisureland throughout the show, but at no time did your reader make her grievances known to organisers or staff who could have responded personally to her at the time. We strive to produce professional, high-profile, exhibitions and welcome feedback both positive and negative to ensure that we continue to meet the expectations of our visitors but in the case of your reader her criticisms seem to us to be somewhat unjustified and a little begrudging. Yours, Catherine Laffey and Keith Flynn Midnight Promotions 3 Lower Abbeygate Street Galway.

Don't forget the forgotten emigrants
Dear Editor, An article "The Forgotten Emigrants" in a recent Advertiser, told about the plight of the 25,000 undocumented Irish in America and how difficult it has become for them since 9/11. The article begins with the story of two men who cannot return for their father's funeral for fear of not being allowed back in. As someone who lived in the US post 9/11, and still has good friends living there I understand this situation all too well. It is a horrible feeling not knowing if the life you've worked hard to make might suddenly be taken away. And I know, most Irish in Ireland have someone, or at least know of someone living illegally in the states. So why, when we are so passionate about protecting our own emigrants in other countries, are we so vehement about persecuting immigrants in this country? It doesn't make any sense but that's exactly the way it is." As recently as 15 years ago we had net emigration of 30,000 per year from this country, the article states. And if you talk to any older person in Ireland they will be able to tell you that's exactly how it was, our economy was dead, our young nation was in trouble. Not any more though; we are on the up and up, a smart new society, full of our own importance, out of the slump that drove all our young away. We are now in a position to, dare I say it, help other young people from other poor nations. But no, instead of returning the hospitality that was shown to us in the US and indeed the UK, we are determined to keep out all immigrants, unless, of course, they come in handy for menial jobs that we don't want to do anymore. I do not want to take away from the Irish struggling in the US, but at least they do not have to put up with racism, hate crimes, and an overwhelming feeling that they simply are not wanted. But that's exactly how immigrants here feel. We should be ashamed of ourselves. Yours, Jennifer Hough MA journalism student, NUIG

Hospital crisis will get worse as points drive doctors and nurses
Dear Editor, It seems that there is no easy answer to the problems facing our hospitals today with the acute shortage of staff and the lack of a strategic policy in dealing efficiently with patients in Accident and Emergency units. One does not have to be a fortune teller to know that if you have fewer nurses being trained and educated and trainee doctors restricted to working less hours because of EU regulations that there will be an even greater crisis heading our way. Whether nurses with degrees are better or more caring is questionable but many young people who have proved themselves to be caring by their dedication to voluntary organizations like the Knights of Malta, etc, have been turned away from the profession because they don't have enough points in their Leaving Certificate. This is a shame, as many of our leading doctors and consultants would not have made the grade either if you were to go by today's points system. Why are we going to the four corners of the earth to recruit medical staff when we are blocking so many young and not so young people from entering the medical profession here? Sick people need care and attention, we all know that aftercare plays a big part in a patients recovery so why are patients who have just had an operation being made feel that they are "bed blockers" just because they are the wrong side of 65? We all know of cases where patients have survived serious operations only to die of complications soon afterwards. Has the person of 65 or over not the same right to first-rate care with first-rate equipment in a hospital as a person of 35 after an operation? People who are not well should not be made feel a burden on society; their sickness is burden enough for them and their families to carry. We are told that half the people who are waiting in A&E departments should not be there at all, that they are not really sick enough! Well, you'd have to be sick if you were willing to wait eight or 10 hours to be seen otherwise you'd need your head examined which would mean you really are sick! So what are they talking about? It would be nice to think that we all have a right to the best care possible regardless of age or wealth, or is that asking for too much? Yours Nuala Nolan, Middle St, Galway.

Galway vandalism makes visitor ask where is society going wrong
Dear Editor, I lived and worked abroad for over 20 years and returned to my beloved Ireland in September 2003. It was like being on a honeymoon the first few months in Galway. Enjoying the hospitality, the pubs, the atmosphere, the Irish language, the music, a seannos session here and there, Tayto crisps, Crunchie bars, hot scones, Guinness. The list is endless. I had read about crime in Ireland. I had heard of serious break-ins in Galway. I had heard of cars being stolen. I had heard of an old man being attacked in daylight in Oranmore. I had heard even worse than that. Well, I got my own taste of that side of Irish life first-hand last week when the rear windscreen of my car was maliciously smashed in. I had parked the car in front of a house in a housing estate close to Menlo Park Hotel. I was visiting friends. The windscreen was smashed while I was in the house. I called the guards. Apparently during the night of Wednesday/Thursday last week nine cars in all were damaged in the same manner. I met another "victim" when I brought my car to Autoglas to be repaired. The person in question was an elderly gentleman who was merely visiting his daughter in the same housing estate. He was in Galway for a few days only. When this kind of thing happens, you just ask yourself: Where on earth is society going wrong?What on earth has happened to this place? My daughter has even had three mobile phones stolen from her bag at school. Once her locker was broken into. That's at school. So, I just want to ask that question: Where is Irish society going wrong? Why this total and utter lack of respect? The individuals who smashed my windscreen won't give two highland damns what they did to my car. They won't care that I lost the best part of two days trying to get the car fixed, contacting the insurance company, etc. They won't care that I was unable to use the car while the screen was damaged. They won't care that it actually hurt me a lot. I know that. But we have to think of this on a general societal level. This is happening everywhere in Ireland now. The guards saw the shock on my face. But it seemed so commonplace to them. On the Continent these kinds of things simply do not happen. I am very very happy to be back in my native country. I won't let an incident like this daunt me. However, it leaves a very sour taste. I worry for our society. Something has got to change. Something has got to be done. Is everybody so busy running like a Celtic tiger that there is no time to stop and reflect on how dangerous this society has become? Is this the kind of society we want to turn a blind eye to? Is this the kind of society we want for ourselves and our children? Sincerely, Damaged car owner, Galway. (Name and address with editor)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
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