Thousands still without

Fourteen days after Storm Éowyn tore through Ireland, thousands of homes across the West and Northwest remain without power. On Thursday, the figures provided to MEPs by ESB Networks paint a stark picture: 12,000 households are still in the dark, with counties Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan, Sligo, Longford, and Monaghan worst affected.

If such widespread outages persisted for this length of time in Dublin, there would be absolute uproar. Emergency response teams would be deployed en masse, and government ministers would be falling over themselves to be seen “on the ground” delivering solutions. Yet here in the West, the prolonged suffering of ordinary people is met with weary acceptance—a testament to a sad reality that has plagued this region for generations: we are left behind, and we continue to allow it to happen.

Disaster response or exposure of neglect?

Storm Éowyn’s impact was unprecedented, with the strongest recorded winds since records began battering Ireland’s western counties. Homes, businesses, farms, and community spaces were devastated. The response from local communities was swift and resilient. Volunteers worked tirelessly to clear roads, distribute supplies, and establish emergency hubs to provide basic necessities such as water, heat, and phone charging stations.

But where was the state? ESB Networks crews and county council workers have done extraordinary work, yet there remains a fundamental issue: why is our infrastructure so vulnerable in the first place? Why are communities in Roscommon, Leitrim, and Mayo still waiting two weeks for power restoration? Why do our telecommunications networks collapse at the first sign of extreme weather? The answer is painfully obvious. The west and northwest have been systematically underfunded, ignored, and abandoned.

This is not about the failure of emergency response teams in the aftermath of the storm. It is about decades of political neglect, about infrastructure that was never properly built or maintained, and about successive governments that prioritise urban Ireland while treating rural regions as afterthoughts.

A pattern of disregard

Storm Éowyn is just the latest reminder of the neglect that has been allowed to fester in the West. Whether it is broadband blackspots, the closure of rural post offices and Garda stations, a chronic lack of investment in roads and public transport, or the closure of vital services like A&E departments, the trend is unmistakable.

The closure of power stations, without ensuring the necessary infrastructure was in place to support an all-electric energy network, has left thousands dependent on an unreliable grid. Government policy continues to push towards an energy model that assumes every home has the resilience of those in the greater Dublin area. The reality is starkly different. People in rural areas have been left to fend for themselves.

For years, we have been told about regional investment, about initiatives to “revitalise” rural Ireland. And yet, when crisis strikes, the cracks in these empty promises become painfully evident. The West is always last in line.

Electoral amnesia: why do we accept this?

Despite this consistent neglect, election after election, the people of the West and Northwest return the same parties and politicians to the Government. The same voices that have overseen this era of decline are rewarded with another term in power, another mandate to continue as before. Why?

There is an entrenched political culture in Ireland of voting for the familiar, of opting for the “devil you know.” Local representation often trumps national impact. Yet, as storms like Éowyn remind us, local issues are national issues. The Government’s failure to properly invest in and prioritise rural Ireland should not be forgotten when polling day comes around.

This is not to say that a simple change in voting patterns will solve everything overnight. But political complacency thrives on predictability. As long as rural Ireland continues to vote for those who ignore it, nothing will change.

The cost of inaction

There will be another storm. There will be another crisis. And if nothing changes, we will be here again, talking about prolonged outages, fragile infrastructure, and government inaction. Communities will once again rally together, supporting one another in the absence of real state intervention. But goodwill and resilience are not substitutes for proper investment and governance.

The people of the West deserve better. They deserve infrastructure that is built to withstand modern realities. They deserve services that are not constantly under threat of closure. They deserve a government that treats them with the same urgency and priority as it does the urban centres.

The post OPINION: The West has inarguably been left behind appeared first on Roscommon People.

The recent Pride celebrations in Roscommon Town mark a significant historic turning point, offering us an opportunity to consider the progress we’ve achieved. It is heartening to see gay individuals and couples feeling safe and accepted in our locality. I attended the parade and the celebrations in the park on Saturday, and it was clear to me that this was a deeply emotional occasion for many. The atmosphere was incredibly friendly and affirmative, showcasing a collective commitment to support and reassurance.

In the run-up to the weekend there was nothing but positive encouragement shown, with the council heavily promoting the event, and businesses endorsing the occasion and showing their support. It has recently been announced that up to €400,000 is being made available in grants for organisations who work with young people under the LGBTI+ Youth Fund 2024. At this critical juncture it is important to allow for a meaningful dialogue about how we can create a space for families and children within our community. Not everyone may have a complete understanding of what is encompassed by the LGBTQ+ umbrella. While I’m not an expert, I want to highlight some of the issues that are currently being advocated for.

A significant symbol that has emerged in recent years is the transgender pride flag, which incorporates baby blue and baby pink stripes along with a white central stripe. The blue and pink colours are representative of traditional gender norms: blue for boys and pink for girls. These colours serve to challenge preconceived notions about gender identity. As the discourse around gender has evolved — in the wake of feminist thought and achievements in advocating for gay rights — we’ve seen remarkable changes in how we perceive and express gender roles.

While I can see how what started off well intentioned with parents and educators reminding children that boys can like pink, and girls can like blue, etc., what has evolved into ideas of gender in relation to transgender ‘rights’ has its contradictions. Ironically, while gender ideology (stemming from the writing of Judith Butler, which is taught at third level in Ireland) posits that gender is a social construct lying on a spectrum, some facets of transgender ideology seem to reinforce the very gender norms it aims to dismantle.

Trends observed in some states in the USA suggest a rising normalisation of transitioning at increasingly younger ages. The financial aspect is also concerning, as medical professionals can earn significantly from gender-affirming surgeries – often a lucrative process compared to other essential surgical services, such as heart surgery. This raises alarming questions about the motives behind recommending such procedures when a child’s natural development is at stake. The argument involves the view that we should prevent ‘trans children’ from enduring the discomfort associated with undergoing puberty in their ‘assigned gender’. The best case scenario, both for these children (as argued) and for the professionals providing gender-affirming ‘care’, is to initiate treatment as early as possible.

Ironically, the rhetoric surrounding ‘letting kids be who they are’ collides with the reality that many of the same advocates push for what some claim are irreversible medical alterations, particularly through puberty blockers which halt crucial developmental processes. I acknowledge arguments that puberty blockers only pause, rather than completely halt, the puberty process and that these blockers have been used in ‘cis children’ facing precocious puberty. However, this information has primarily been made public by those who advocate for gender-affirming care. ‘Hormone replacement therapy’ can have both reversible and irreversible effects.

The danger of a school-to-gender clinic pipeline cannot be overlooked, particularly as educational institutions operate under financial strains post-Covid. Children should be allowed to experience discomfort and uncertainty during formative years, as these experiences contribute to a robust understanding of their identities. Most people eventually come to understand themselves better with the wisdom of hindsight. However, there is a growing concern that adults – including some parents – are placing these complex ideas before children without adequately considering the implications.

Amidst these discussions, it’s vital to acknowledge the diverse voices that exist within the transgender community. Many individuals who wished to detransition are finding themselves without the necessary support, research, or acknowledgment of their lived experiences, emphasising the need for an open dialogue where every story can be heard. Holding space for these perspectives is not merely about affirming a particular ideology but recognising the multifaceted realities of the human experience.

The strength of belonging to a supportive community is palpable; however, these ties should not come at the expense of critical questioning or indifference to dissenting views. While I recognise that self-expression can be a beautiful and empowering journey, and I have no doubt that many individuals have formed meaningful friendships with like-minded people through their experiences, it is crucial to consider the deeper implications of transgenderism. It appears that there may be a philosophical argument underlying this issue that is often addressed through a medical lens. This raises important questions about whether transitioning is genuinely the most beneficial solution for individuals grappling with a disconnection between their body and mind. Instead of primarily focusing on medical or external intervention, society should provide individuals with the strength and support needed to reconcile with their physical selves.

Last weekend, it was heartwarming to witness so many individuals coming together in solidarity. I commend everyone involved for their efforts in making Pride a success. It’s inspiring to see the community unite in celebration and support for gay individuals and families.

Furthermore, as we navigate the complexities of gender discourse and its implications, we must ensure that the conversation includes the voices of those who wish to express differing viewpoints. It’s important that we recognise how our realities have changed from both an adult and child standpoint, particularly in the context of progress toward ‘gender equality’. We owe it to the next generation and ourselves to foster an environment that honours individual journeys, supports healthy exploration of identity, and promotes holistic well-being without succumbing to ideological extremes.

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I have huge sympathy with the Government. On the one hand they are hoping that life can continue with some semblance of normality, but they know that public health concerns are paramount

When I wrote my column last week I was unsure about the possible effect the coronavirus outbreak would have here, but now the situation is very serious indeed. I just hope the authorities have been painting a worst-case scenario for the public this week and that things might not be as bad as are feared.

The suggestion that as many as 1.9 million people could be infected in this country has spooked a lot of people. Even though it is a fact that the vast majority of people who get this virus will not die or even get very ill from it, that is scant consolation to vulnerable people in our community.

At the time of writing the number of cases here is very low, but the experience elsewhere tell us that the situation might get worse. However, I am not going to add to the obvious sense of panic that is out there already.

All we can do is to take individual responsibility for our own personal hygiene and wash our hands as often as possible. I have huge sympathy with the Government. On the one hand they are hoping that life can continue with some semblance of normality, but they know that public health concerns are paramount. A worst-case scenario would see everything close down/be halted – schools, universities, sports fixtures, restaurants, pubs, etc. Hopefully it will not come to that but a big increase in the number of cases here would change everything.

Any such increase would be the nightmare scenario as industry would grind to a halt and people would be isolated at home and that could lead to even more problems in the long-term.

The bottom line though is that no-one really knows what will happen into the next week, never mind into the next month. What I have detected since the weekend is that people are now genuinely worried and unsure of what to do.

There is no doubt that this is the biggest health emergency that we have ever seen, one that has the potential to change our world forever. But we have to just do the best we can and follow the advice in in terms of minding ourselves and our families.

Maybe the situation will not turn out to be as bad as was predicted by many at the weekend, but the truth is that we cannot take any chances. The Government must ensure that the public are kept abreast of whatever information they have. The only way this virus will be defeated is with the goodwill of the public.

Most Irish people realise that we are in a tight corner at the moment and that if we all work together and do what is necessary we can come out the other end of this crisis without too much damage being done. Hopefully in a few months’ time we can put it all behind us and move on.

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