SubscribeSubscriber OnlyLettersNo private cover for elected officials or dependents while in officeThe Irish Times - Letters to the Editor. Wed Jun 17 2026 - 06:00 • 1 MIN READSir , – To add to Ann Fitzpatrick’s letter (June 16th), might I suggest the following:No elected official or their dependents should hold private health insurance while in office. I rather suspect that this would focus our leaders’ minds on fixing our creaking public systems. – Yours, etc,GEORGE SALTER,READ MOREAmbassador’s former home in Foxrock with residential development potential for €3.25mThe Irish Times best new car picks for the summer of 2026 - under €25,000Not so simple: Alison Healy on errant behaviour by fans at a recent Paul Simon gigDeath at the bridge: The Troubles murder of Terence McKeever, 40 years onMallow,Co Cork.IN THIS SECTIONAbolishing private maternity care is not a solutionWide of the target regarding voluntary hospitalsLos Angeles has a lot more to offer than tired tropes highlighted by your correspondentKnotty issue of healthcare and the lack of capacityTalking to Russia about ending the war in UkraineMOST READ‘Spelling error’ reversed meaning of finding in Aer Lingus discipline inquiry, WRC hearsBad – The Song That Saved My Life review: A U2 anthem linking two extreme trajectoriesIreland to introduce some of Europe’s ‘strictest’ rules on short-term lets, says MinisterEx-TD Jim Glennon described convicted child abuser as ‘friend’ with ‘infectious energy’Netanyahu and Israel hindering peace efforts with Iran, says TrumpLATEST STORIESThe Dead Zoo, the best EVs under €25,000 and the ‘Wigan kebab’ with Irish curry sauceDarragh Ó Sé: Ger Brennan’s push for Parnell Park made Dublin look weakThe Revenue Commissioners taking on local politics won’t end wellDublin hurler Brian Hayes: ‘There’s a lot of belief in our panel, we know how good we are’Ombudsman has ideal scenario for Ascot clash with Daryz and Minnie Hauk