Daniel Dunne, Dublin, Ireland

Theresa Dunne (née Barnes) 1932-2006

Daniel Dunne — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 10:46:00 +0000

My brother Peter wrote the following appreciation of my mother who died on June 21st. Many thanks to all those who have been so kind and supportive to us during this time. I am really grateful.

Mammy was born in 1932 in the heart of the Liberties. Her maiden name is Theresa Barnes and her mother’s maiden name was Margaret Fallon. The Barnes ancestry is rooted in Chester where my mother’s grandfather served in the British army and the Fallon family were originally from Co Meath. She was an only child. This was quite unusual for the time but it explains a lot about her self-reliance and resourcefulness. Mammy had fascinating and detailed memories from her very early childhood that seems to have been but sometimes lonely. She was an early reader and was clever in school. She’s is an example of someone who used education as a route out of poverty. At the age of six she persuaded her parents to move into relatively better accommodation (a two-roomed shared tenement with another family who were relatives). She also persuaded her parents to let her change schools. In primary school she aimed to obtain a scholarship to secondary education. On the strength of her own abilities, hard work and clarity of purpose she obtained a place in the St Louis boarding school in Monaghan along with the financial support to pay for it.

By her own accounts she had a tremendous time in Monaghan and excelled academically as well as in singing and drama. She obtained one of the best leaving certs in the country and on the strength of this was expected to take a well-earned scholarship to proceed to third level education in the NUI but instead decided to enter religious life as a novice in the St Louis order of nuns. Within a short time of beginning her novitiate she contracted TB. She seemed to be able to get no help for her illness from her superiors and realized that if she didn’t leave the novitiate she would probably die. She spent time in a TB recovery ward in Dublin and eventually returned to full health. She worked for her relative Charlie Broklebank in his optician business for a while and then worked in Cavendish’s in Grafton St where she bumped into Daniel Dunne from Donnybrook as he was racing down a flight of stairs. She was 21 years old when they married. He was 18 years older and had come from quite a different kind of childhood. They juggled precarious financial circumstances and succeeded in making a move from a flat in Rathgar to Dodder Park Road. They were a few years married before they had kids but they quickly made up time on this front once they got started.

Times were tough for parents of large families at that time. There was no car, no central heating, no washing machine or dryer, no disposable nappies, no supermarkets. Plastic pants, rubber undersheets, and a big pram for carrying the shopping were considered tremendous assets. A sewing machine was essential. Probably half the cloths the family wore in the early years were home made and these were usually better made than the other half that came from Frawley’s on Thomas Street. But there was great support from neighbours and my mother always insisted that these were the happiest days of her life. She continued to read thousands of books. She sang in the Rathfarnham and Carmelite choirs. There was even a family holiday in Bettystown and numerous trips to Seapoint in the summer time.

The last few of her children were born by caesarean section and one of these C-sections didn’t go well and for a second time in her life my mother came close to death. This was probably a low point for the family in many ways but things were somehow held together. In 1972 my mother decided that a move to Meadow Park would solve a lot of financial difficulties. As the family grew up and my dad’s working years were dwindling my mother realized that she would have to become the main bread-winner. She took up the place in university that she had won so many years earlier. She successfully juggled child rearing with a night-time study for a BA degree in UCD. This was followed by a year of a H.Dip in Education and she was then lucky in getting a teaching job so close to home in Notre Dame in Churchtown. For the most part she liked her job and she tried to encourage her students in the same way that she encouraged her children. There seemed to be no end to the personal sacrifices Mammy made to ensure that the family had a good education. She was always there to provide help and advice to all the family never forgetting birthdays or anniversaries. When it was necessary she could be quite proactive in making sure that her children didn’t make bad choices. She said she had always just tried to do what she felt was best for her children. In later years she extended her support network to include grand children, other relatives, friends and neighbours. As the family progressively fled the nest she and Daniel senior came to know each other better and they had some great holiday trips together (Italia ’90 was a particular high point). She continued to read avidly and also tried to keep her mind sharp by doing crossword puzzles and the like.

Although Mammy was a very dedicated Catholic in her early life she was sometimes sceptical and other times open-minded about alternative religions and movements within the church. In the end she had come to very personal and deep conclusions about the meaning of life and the here-after. She was always very clear about what she wanted and she took this approach when health issues surfaced. After a hip operation that was not very successful she managed to maintain her independence by arranging a new layout for the house. When the hip problem was eventually sorted out she was able to become more involved again and although we often thought of her as having few close friends, she was actually making good friends on a constant basis throughout her last few years in various activities. In the last year or so she took was very active in caring for Tommy Carroll who had tragically ended-up in a coma following an accident.

We miss her, we were shocked at the speed of her last decline and it will be a while before we have really come to the full realization of what has happened. Tommy’s situation convinced her that she did not want much medical intervention in her own final journey and that is exactly how it was. Mammy was brave in the face of death and she went forward with great dignity. All the family managed to be there for her last moments. We all had a chance to tell her how much we loved her and to return a fraction of the love she had given us. We are as convinced as she was that this life is part of something bigger. We believe she is somewhere good with her own mother, father, husband and friends. We believe she is somehow with us too.

written by Peter Dunne

Another Paul Mercier Triumph?

Daniel Dunne — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 12:42:00 +0000

March 16 sees the Irish release of Paul Mercier's film Studs. Studs was one of Paul's popular Passion Machine plays, originally staged in the SFX, and it promises to be a riproaring success. Since the mid eighties Paul has been a chronicler of something real in the social fabric of Dublin and Ireland. Now a board member of the Abbey, his recent play Homeland held up a mirror to our most recent stage in our journey as a nation.

Of course I want Studs to be a huge success as my brother John composed the score, having also scored the original play.

See http://www.studsthemovie.com for a trailer.

Peak Oil, Gaia, reasons to be cheerful not

Daniel Dunne — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 00:58:00 +0000

Less than a year ago I watched the End of Suburbia and got familiar with the topic of peak oil, the thesis that oil availability has peaked and that the end is nigh for our fossil fuel dependent economy. Now the idea is becoming mainstream, and the RTE series of reports on 5/7 live on the subject is an excellent primer. Philip Boucher Hayes also covers Ireland's special vulnerability to shocks to the supply of natural gas. Compelling listening:

http://www.rte.ie/radio1/fivesevenlive/1052492.html

Of course, from the point of view of the planet, the end of fossil fuel burning could not come quick enough. James Lovelock says we are near the point of no return in his new book, the Revenge of Gaia. All in all it is scenario that is to say the least challenging.

In terms of politics, it is interesting to note how the greens slogan Reduce Re-use Recycle , once a faintly heard murmur in alternative culture is now the accepted best practice. (The reduce bit seems to be little emphasised however).

It is a pity the Labour party (of which I am a member) is busy finding out from focus groups what prejudices of it should appeal to in order to increase its support, rather than providing visionary leadership on issues such as this. For a start it should begin a dialogue with the Greens as to some common negotiating ground to bring to the coalition negotiating table with Fine Gael.

These are the key issues of the time and Labour is muted, as it was muted on the international trade talks and the EU budget talks. Only a clear and distinct program of visionary policies will provide people an incentive to vote for an alternative government.

However a recent statement by Tommy Broughan on biofuels is a step in the right direction.

VHI and Risk Equalisation - lessons from eircom

Daniel Dunne — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 19:01:00 +0000

It's getting a bit tedious listening to Oliver Tatton of Vivas claiming that VHI as the "incumbent" is a monopoly which is "creaming profits". The impression is created that Risk Equalisation is something anti-competitive. In fact, competition requires a level playing field, and in the community rating system insurance system, risk equalisation is essential to making the field level. (I must declare an interest here, in that my brother Fran works for VHI).
The question remains, how does one bring about a market where there are multiple players giving consumers a good choice of products. The answer is in my view is not to penalise the members of VHI, or its owners (indirectly the taxpayer), making the shareholders of BUPA and VIVAS rich at our expense.
Trying to make the incumbent smaller, while trying to make it more efficient at the same time, often leads to a no win dynamic for its stakeholders. VHI should be split into two or more entities, and those entities should be sent out to compete on equal terms with the other players in the market. It would be a shame if political cowardice and foot dragging led to the decline of what has been a very good institution that has served the public interest well.

Mariead McGuinness and CAP

Daniel Dunne — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 13:18:00 +0000

I'm not much of an expert on CAP, but if I have not picked up things wrong, our government is on the wrong side of EU budget and WTO negotiations, supporting the Common Agricultural policy against the interests of the worlds poorer countries. Last night I watched Ear to the Ground, RTE's agricultural programme. In response I sent the following to the aid organisation Bóthar. Hopefully there reply will relieve me of my simplistic notion that the sacrosanct interests of a pressure group in one of the world's richest countries are being put before the interests of the poor:

Hi

I watched Ear to the Ground yesterday and saw Maread McGuinness MEP visit Africa in association with Bothar. I am sure her motivation is the highest, but I have to express my concern that Bothar associates itself so strongly with defending the CAP.

Is it not true that CAP subsidizes our exports, and thereby makes it impossible for farmers on poorer continents to compete? (also known as dumping)

Also, is is not completely hypocritical to seek protection in one area of our economy where we would not withstand global market forces, while seeking new and open markets in the high tech added areas where we dominate.

I also note that the programme gave a platform for someone standing in the next election to express their views in an unchallenged manner.

Am I wrong to be concerned about all this?

Does bothar have a policy document that addresses the distorting effects on global trade of the CAP?

Yours sincerely

Daniel Dunne

Democracy Commission report calls for more and better CSPE

Daniel Dunne — Fri, 28 Oct 2005 00:57:00 +0000

While papers zoned in on the juicy stories of gender quotas and media monopolies, the part of the Democracy Commission report which interested me most was to do with civic education. The commission recommends:

• The extension of social and political education to senior cycle.
The Commission favours the introduction of citizenship studies as a full optional subject to Leaving Certificate and supports the provision of citizenship education short courses and transition year units.
• Targeting spending on citizenship education and voter awareness programmes.
• Promoting citizenship issues in primary schools.
• Promoting greater democracy within school structures.
• That democratic citizenship education in Northern Ireland be rooted in the goal to build a shared future and address issues of sectarianism, interculturalism and separateness
• Promoting democratic citizenship education within community education programmes.
• Provision of training and materials to support teachers of democratic citizenship education.

These are aspirations well worth airing. Unfortunately, despite an excellent syllabus, CSPE does not have the resources allocated to it (human resources and time) for it to make the impact it could. (See the report for a good summary of the problems).

What is needed is some poltical will. I had the good luck to attend the CSPE teachers annual conferene a few weeks ago, and Minister Hannifin came along to rally the troops. It was an interesting display. The teachers in attendance were the hardcore of committed cspe'rs who had given up their Saturday to attand the AGM and various workshops to improve their pedagogical methods. The subject association (ACT) is run with the utmost professionalism.

The minister was in high plámasing form, indicating that she would no doubt be rostered for teaching CSPE if she were not on leave. But her committment to the subject rang a bit hollow. No indication of extension to the senior cycle as an option, or of more time. Worst of all was a celebration on her part of the fact that there is no CSPE subject at third level. CSPE in her view was a team exercise, drawing on the life experience of whoever was hanging around the staff room. (Despite the existence of many relevant degrees, and some diplomas). Mary wondered if the little bit of cspe we have would be feeding through soon in higher voter turn-out. Well, if it is three years after ending one's civic education, I wonders how much it will impact on young peoples first outing at the polls.

The minister did make positive noises about school councils. This has been an area of progress, and a great example of learning by doing. I stood in a school election as a thirteen year old, and it was a formative experience indeed. (Some months after my election, the authorities decided they didn't like democracy very much at all, and abolished the entire Representative council).

If she cares about renewing democratic values and practices, the minister will implement the relevant recommendations of the democracy commission report. Another interesting thought sprang to mind as I watched and listened: Ireland's first woman Taoiseach in the making?

Remembering Fr. Fergal O'Connor

Daniel Dunne — Mon, 03 Oct 2005 09:34:00 +0000

Dominican Father, Fergal O Connor was a fixture of UCD politics department for decades, and a formative influence on many an undergraduate.

(He also founded the organisation ALLY, dedicated to supporting unmarried mothers. That was in another ireland. He also regularly appeared as a critic on the Late Late show, in it's heyday)

O Connor came to prominence during the silent revolution of student activism in the early 70's ( when I was just a kid). In essence, he saw political theory in a socratic tradition. Dialogue was his central motif. Exams, he maintained were utterly ephemeral to the process, as was the points race system for university access. If he had his way, he would say, his lectures would be open to all, and scheduled to allow access to all sectors of society. For those interested in high exam achievement, he proposed that he would give them the exam questions at the outset, and they could leave the lectuer theatre and start working on perfecting that essay. Those interested in philisophical dialogue, he would say, like the characters of the Republic, were welcome to stay.

In second year, he lectured in the first semester as Rousseau, provoking the class into debate, continually wearing the Rousseau persona. What a surprise after chrismas, when he became a crusty Hobbes!

His lectures were often conveniently scheduled for the late afternoon, with no following lecture. This allowed a circle of students to keep the priest debating in a circle, long, long, after the end of the official lecture.

I was not such a dedicated student. And at the time, my antipathy towards wearers of the catholic garb was deep, but O Connor fascinated. Some of his views appeared anti-modern to me from my perspective at the time. (I still have no time for the Alasdair MacIntyre view of ethics, for instance.)
But, long before many of those who were lecturing me on marxism at the time in UCD, Fergal was citing the work of Jurgen Habermas.

Essentially, Fergal was interested in answering the timeless questions of what is a good life, and what makes a society just. With dialogue at the core, his educational method pointed toward some of that answers to those questions.

Silly Season securlarist

Daniel Dunne — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 13:14:00 +0000

It's the silly season and I have been retreating from the media. Even daft texters on Newstalk are failing to impress. But it took some effort to resist writing to the Irish Times when Breda O Brien went criticising the BBC's coverage of the death of Brother Roger of Taize. (I have at least 6 weeks of letter writing sobriety, and my sponsor in Letter Writers Anonymous is impressed).

"When the fatal stabbing of Brother Roger of Taizé by a mentally disturbed Romanian woman was announced on RTÉ radio late last Tuesday, it was striking to see how few other media outlets had the story. An internet search of Reuters, Associated Press and even the BBC revealed nothing, although the Australian Associated Press was covering it, writes Breda O'Brien." IT 20-08-05

Oh Breda! Actually I was perusing google news that day and there was a link to a fine BBC story about the tragic events of last week, which has been since updated with tributes from the public. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4158886.stm
I think Breda wants to perpetuate some silly prejudiced notion about the liberal - secular media. Then at the weekend the world service had an extended piece on Taize. It brought it all back, the soporific latin anthems in the youth mass in St Kevin's oratory, ( a great place to meet girls). So, no media conspiracy against religion there at all actually Breda. In fact, thanks to liberal ideas we get to hear about religions of all types and switch off if not interested.

Also in the article, Brother Roger is compared to Paris Hilton. Mmmm, there were no girls like that at St. Kevins Oratory...

Letter to Liz O Donnell on Development aid

Daniel Dunne — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 23:59:00 +0000

Dear Liz

As a voter in Dublin South, I have admired your record on development
co-operation. The other night I watched Zambian children dying for lack of
basic health facilities in Zambia, one of our development partner countries.
You say the failure to meet the promised target is "indefensible", but have
you voted against the government in the budget vote?, the estimates, or any
motions to do with Development Assistance?
Have you influenced the PDs to make it an issue in cabinet?
You are a TD in a government party. If you cannot exert influence, if can't
use your power in this instance, when lives are at stake, then your
statements in the oireachtas are little more than hot air.

Please do more. I know you appreciate that this is a moral issue that
transcends party political interests. I will be mobilising my nephews,
nieces and all their friends on this issue in the next general election. You
may have seen my letter on the Commission for Africa report in the Irish
Times ( June 9 2005 ). This issue will not be going away.

Please do more than express disappointment to the Dail.
Use your position to take a stand.

It will stand to you.

Kind regards

Daniel Dunne

Deputy O Donnell has requested that her reply to the above letter not be published:

Dear Daniel,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Kind regards,

Liz O'Donnell, T.D.

Saro-Wiwa reponse on Kevin Myers 'ranting':

Daniel Dunne — Sun, 19 Jun 2005 21:36:00 +0000

Message from Remember Saro-Wiwa; RSW is a coalition of organisations and individuals encompassing the arts and literature, human rights and environmental and development issues. Remember Saro-Wiwa is working with Ken Saro-Wiwa's family and the Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation.

Daniel,

Thanks for sending this. Unfortunately, a free press means that people such as this writer get to assault us with their misinformed ranting.

While I agree with some of what he says about debt relief, he is tarring millions of people with the same brush and perpetuating age-old falsehoods with his obsession with voodoo and the like.

Anyway, to stick to the accusations aimed at Saro-Wiwa. While what happened to the four Ogoni chiefs was indeed appalling, there was no "cannibalisation". This statement shows the prejudices of the writer's views and the fact that he has clearly not read any of the details of the case.
After being beaten to death, the car the four chiefs were travelling in was set alight. There was nothing left to 'cannibalise'.

There was never any evidence of Ken's involvement in that incident and the UN, Human Rights lawyers and other observers at the trial have documented the complete sham that the trial was. There was no evidence and the 'witnesses' later confessed to being bribed. Today, the Nigerian courts are considering overturning the verdict and declaring Ken an innocent man.

The attached documents Ken Saro-Wiwa's story, including what happened at the trial and what has been going on in the Delta since. It's our side of the story but it's based on a wide range of references.

- The Remember Saro-Wiwa Co-ordinator.
http://www.remembersarowiwa.com/

No Logo vs. Pro logo

Daniel Dunne — Sat, 18 Jun 2005 19:29:00 +0000

WNYC ( a leading New York public radio station) have a nice download of a debate entitled No Logo vs. Pro-logo:

It features Naomi Klein, author of the international best-seller No Logo and Sameena Ahmad, The Economist's Business Correspondent

Full program downloadable from http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/4390

Also participating was Owens Wiwa, brother of the late Nigerian writer and environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa. Last week I noticed Kevin Myers claim that Wiwa was executed "for his part in the murder and cannibalisation of four Ogoni elders" rather than for his campaigning activities. (Irish Times 15 June 2005). The statement has not elicited a reponse yet on the Irish Times letters page. Perhaps readers are now above responding to his provocations.

Live8 and the Commission for Africa

Daniel Dunne — Tue, 07 Jun 2005 19:30:00 +0000

A letter published June 9 2005 in The Irish Times

Dear Madam,

Dr LF LACEY (Tuesday June 7th) uses a single quotation from the Commission for Africa report to argue against ill-conceived 'solutions' to poverty. He goes on, however, to reduce the cause of Africa's problems to one factor, good government, and implies that dealing with this alone is the solution. The Commission for Africa report clearly shows that multiple interlocking factors have caused african underdevelopment. In turn, the solution it proposes involves a coherent set of interlocking measures. These include more and better aid, debt relief, fairer trade, as well as action on improved governance.

Dr. Lacey's quote from the Executive Summary of the report, that "without progress in governance, all other reforms will have limited impact", should be taken in the context of the paragraphs which precede and follow it. Progress is already being made toward democracy and
better governance, rendering generalisations about an entire continent increasingly inaccurate. Rich nations have a role to play in helping to build the capacity of African governmental systems, by making aid more accountable, and by refusing to be complicit in corruption. It is wrong to
say that past development aid has not made a difference. The full report outlines a plethora of evidence which supports the demands of the Make Poverty History campaign, and Bob Geldof's Live8, and shows why they are morally compelling (available at www.commissionforafrica.org ). When millions are dying needlessly, it is simplistic excuses for in-action which are ill-conceived.

Yours etc.

Social Capital and Local Government

Daniel Dunne — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 14:16:00 +0000

I notice the Lord Mayor had the Professor Puttnam of Bowling alone fame over to talk to the Dublin Dvelopment Board. It prompts one to think of Local Government reform, one of those old chesnuts that Labour has never gotten around to in government. (Please add to shopping list Pat). People have been talking about it since we were part of the UK.

Anyway, here is an idea that could be included. Parish based elected civic councils. What?. Well my idea is that there is a gap left where once the catholic church represented the focal point of life at a local level in Ireland. Back in the days of one monoculture, the Parish encompassed most of civic life at local level. The parish hall and grounds, administration of school, scouts etc, various other forms of voluntary and social groups. Mass on Sunday was more than religious observance. Congregation at a single space strengthened the community bond.

Now we have major changes. Multiculuralism (and individualist type of confession / non-belief), more telecommunications, and of course the car. But a local form of institution could perform important functions.

Firstly, it could be based on universal participation, ie re-establish community but not based on faith or culture. It could perform a liasing role between local voluntary and social organisations.
It could establish physical fora, a local space for the civic.

Based on universal suffrage, perhaps from age 16, locals would get direct experience in local participatory democracy. (How often do we give a space for the youth of an area to give their opinion on local facilities and services?)

Local residents / tenants interests would be given a form of legitimacy sometimes missing in residents groups, which are sometimes unrepresentative.

I envisage elected commissioners on a small stipend, and also part-time community stewards charged with pro-social community building tasks. Stewards could liase with community police about any issues connected with security, and keep a protective eye on the vulnerable. They could also help to organise community activities like car pooling, walking busses, recycling etc. There are any amount of initiatives.

Pro-social behaviour and voluntary effort could be recognised and rewarded. We hear enough about anti-social behaviour after all.

In the long run, such councils could also get involved in local economic activity which could aspire to ecological goals.

Two talks on emotions and politics

Daniel Dunne — Tue, 24 May 2005 14:34:00 +0000

Thanks to the miracle of broadband I can recommend videos of two excellent talks, both on the subject of emotions and politics. Martha Nussbaum's talk is based on her book Hiding from Humanity: Disgust, Shame, and the Law. You'll need Realplayer of Windows Media Player for this:

Martha Nussbaum on Shame, Stigma and Punishment

The second talk is by Professor Tom Scheff, on emotions and politics. It is based on his work over many decades in sociology, psychology and psychiatry. You'll need Quicktime for this. (Free from apple).

Thomas Scheff on Emotions and Politics

Myers on Geldof, sheer ignorance

Daniel Dunne — Wed, 18 May 2005 17:32:00 +0000

Kevin Myers continues in his reactionary vein by today attacking those he associates with 'Project Africa' who he accuses of self-righteousness. (This from the self righteous attacker of mothers of bastards, and more recently, of sexual libertinism).

His article brings up the usual canards about mis-spent aid, and corrupt regimes, but it is based on prejudice rather than facts. He takes on Geldof after some paragraphs of high dudgeon about the Ugandan regime. This is despite the fact that a Mob besieged the British mission in Kampala after Geldof attacked the Ugandan regime. Myers says Geldof is not capable of discussing Africa rationally. Really? Did I mention that Geldof made his remarks on Uganda at the launch of the Commission for Africa report, full of facts and rational coherent argument. Myers would do well to read that. It is not as simple as corruption, though this is of course an important issue to be addressed. But when the lives of millions are at stake, (when you are a journalist with a national platform) it behoves you to research some of the facts, and find out what Geldof is actuallly proposing.

Geldof was speaking the otherday at the scottish Holyrood parliament. By the miracle of broadband available on video, once again he is inspiring.