I would like to echo some of the key points made by Sean O Fiach (September 14). Writing about the ‘fragility’ of the institutions here Mr O Fiach is correct in his assessment of the failings not just of the devolved administration but also that in terms of equality which has been the Sinn Féin mantra for quite some time – there objectives now seem flawed. Flawed because there is no political equality.
Basically 15 years on from the Good Friday Agreement the DUP as the other half of the power sharing partnership are also unable to offer genuine alternatives and are effectively incapable of political leadership – they are openly unreceptive to equality, co-existence and the promotion of human rights. As we know they have simply walked away from the current situation yet are managing to still pull strings.
I believe that they along with Sinn Féin are now struggling with power sharing, partnership working and collective responsibility and all that this should entail – their mistrust and contempt for one another, for example, is hardly and no longer hidden and we’ve seen this played out in recent days with inflammatory comments and ludicrous behaviour. As Mr O Fiach points out: “Stormont has been a failed experiment, with those institutions lurching from crisis to crisis and delivering nothing for the people who live here.”
In addition to all that is going on I also believe that as a party the DUP have remained a discreet and serious blockage to tangible progress despite public displays of endorsement. The fact that they kept Arlene Foster in post to keep an eye on things and the ‘rogues’ highlights serious suspicion within the corridors of power.
We also know that the DUP have engaged and acted as a behind the scenes catalyst for unionist/loyalist upheaval and wider communal instability stemming from the Good Friday Agreement through to St Andrews, Hillsborough, recent native violence right up to now. This resistance and disconcerting element should not be able to dictate potential progress with the forthcoming all-party talks.
You would like to think that the days of Basil Brooke, the mindset of humiliation and mistrust as well as the sackcloth and ashes attitude has gone – unfortunately it doesn’t seemed to as Mr O Fiach also alludes to in his letter: “This crisis demonstrates that there is no equality for republicanism and certainly no political equality.”
All of this certainly puts pressure upon Sinn Féin’s peace strategy. However, if you believe that dialogue works you have to be hopeful. But dialogue only works when people want it to work. There are many big issues that require attention now but there is also uncertainty in the air and deep mistrust. We’ll know this week who is genuinely serious about talking and about getting things done.
BARRY FENNELL
Belfast BT5
Gerry Fitt could not be described as spineless
On the BBC Talkback programme (September 11) Sinn Féin’s Danny Morrison took a cheap shot at the long-dead former SDLP leader, Gerry Fitt, calling him ‘spineless’.
As someone who knew Gerry Fitt over many years and who disagreed profoundly with some of his political stances in the years after he quit the SDLP n 1979, no-one who knew him, friend or foe, could describe him as spineless, or lacking in courage.
As a young merchant seaman Fitt took part in numerous convoys to Murmansk during the Second World War. Nobody who was a coward served on those convoys, which had a high attrition death rate from Nazi U-boats.
When elected MP for West Belfast in 1966 Fitt, with the help of Paul Rose MP, Stan Orme MP and others, tore up the 45-year old Westminster ‘convention’ that NI affairs could not be raised in the Commons.
I am of the Civil Rights generation and on Saturday October 5 1968 Fitt joined us in the Duke Street march where he, among others, had his head split open by the RUC batons. Where was Danny and others like Gerry Adams that day?
Remarkably, Danny went on to claim Sinn Féin’s support for power-sharing. There was a power-sharing (Sunningdale) executive which lasted for 148 days until May 28 1974 lead by Brian Faulkner and Gerry Fitt, until brought down by the Ulster Workers’ Council strike or, more accurately, putsch.
Sinn Féin refused to take part in the elections which lead to the establishment of the executive and their military wing, the Provisional IRA, worked hand in glove with the loyalist paramilitaries to maintain the maximum amount of death and mayhem during those 148 days. Indeed, ‘republicans’ (not all Provos) killed only one person fewer than loyalist paramilitaries throughout that period.
Sinn Féin commitment to power-sharing? Don’t make me laugh.
EAMON HANNA
Belfast BT9
Let him without sin...
As a Christian and follower of Jesus Christ our Saviour I believe people – those in elected public office – should not cast judgment upon others and their sins without casting judgment on themselves.
Certain politicians were indeed very quick to publicly condemn and judge another politician, namely Councillor Patrick Clarke, due to a reported court case.
No-one has the moral right to judge another person until they pass judgment on themselves and their sins. ‘Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven’.
It is disappointing that there was such self-righteous indignation and complacency by these same politicians publicly calling for the resignation of Cllr Clarke, someone neither they or I know very little or nothing about.
I would therefore strongly suggest these politicians seek comfort in prayer and best concentrate their efforts on their own mistakes and sins and leave other matters regarding Cllr Clarke to the courts and God to decide his punishment and repentance.
PETER LYONS
Dundrum, Co Down
Politicians should ditch the egos
The Stormont talks are back on – again – this week. In writing that, the politicians should, to help them on their way, take advice from a man who had more cause than anybody to be angry and bitter against his opponents, but wasn’t. He spent 27 years in three prisons, Robben Island, Pollsmoor and Victor Forster, all in South Africa.
“When we dehumanise and demonise our opponents, we abandon the possibility of peacefully resolving our differences.” – Nelson Mandela.
Stormont isn’t perfect by a long way – that’s when it’s operating – but the ordinary people in the streets are depending on it to work. Let’s stop playing a political version of Scrabble and get on with it and come to some sort of an agreement before there’s a point of no return. It’s the people that matter not long-standing egos.
PADRAIG O FEINNAIN
Belfast BT14
Mystical creations
Danny Treacy (September 16) mentions “the Pope’s declaration on Jubilee Indulgences”.
I assume this is a new addition to the seven other mystical creations ie plenary partial, temporal perpetual, indefinite, personal and local.
I am not convinced.
BRIAN WILSON
Craigavon, Co Armagh
Fluctuating oil prices
It appears prices at the petrol pumps are about to rise after a small increase in the price of crude oil. No account will be taken of the fact that pump prices still do not reflect the previous drops in the price of crude. In other words pump prices are at a false high and any increase simply provides another example of ‘those who have not’ supporting the lavish lifestyle of ‘those who have’.
DAMIEN GC DEVANEY
Larne, Co Antrim
