The British are broad minded enough to be Irish for a day, as in the case of St Patrick’s Day, but the Irish will not be British for day – even to wear a poppy for Remembrance Day – though it is not necessarily British. Our British neighbours can salute us for a day but for some reason the other way around is not regarded.
How disgraceful it is to watch Irish delegates leave a poppy-bare green wreath at the Cenotaph. It is more of a insult than a tribute. It speaks volumes of the narrow-minded and cynical attitude of a Irish nation that has yet to evolve into a modern state. The fact of the matter is the Irish do not understand the British who can let their hair down and not be obsessed with tradition and enjoy a festivity of another country for a day.
It was not all that long ago, we on these islands were all one nation, though republicans would like to conveniently forget that fact to suit their cause. Dare it be said, we have lived with the British on this island for centuries and especially Northern Ireland – so what is the problem in going on living with them and saluting their culture, poppies and all?
Granted things in Northern Ireland are not great with dissidents but the British are not so narrow-minded to not have a knees-up on Paddy’s Day. Because of frozen Irish anti-British attitudes we may never get to know our British neighbours as we should. 1916 attitudes still seem to be there, holding the grudge and pining about the lack of a united Ireland. How pathetic and wasteful that is. Some die-hards are going so far as to continue killing people because of it.
The Irish by nature have been criticised for being backward, introverted, small-minded inferior-minded, ultra-negative, shy and boxed-in race that cannot find themselves in the world. Never mind reach out to another nation and acknowledge its traditions for the sake of a day of togetherness.
St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in other countries too like the US. However, again, the Irish do not celebrate American traditions such as the Fourth of July.
There is just a complete lack of reciprocation by the Irish, as in the refusal to wear a poppy even for a day.
The Irish establishment must reach out to Britain and break through the titanium coated shell of its 1916 egg.
MAURICE FITZGERALD
Shanbally, Co Cork
Sinn Féin incapable of delivering election pledges
The Sinn Féin transition from effective anti-establishment movement into mainstream politics and government has understandably proved challenging and having received the strongest of mandates they have been ensconced at the top of the establishment table in Stormont for nine years.
Regrettably they have proved unable to operate effectively at government level and incapable of delivering their pledges, on a range of issues. Similarly, having been consistently out manoeuvred at every turn by the establishment, their political performance on ‘welfare reform’ and economic ineptitude would be laughable if not for the consequential human tragedy.
They described Osborne’s proposal to remove tax credits as the game changer in their acceptance of austerity, only for it to be withdrawn under public and political pressure. They handed back welfare control to Cameron and his millionaire cronies, claiming Osborne’s disability benefit cuts were unavoidable. These have now been axed under public and political pressure.
SF have signed up to a reduction in corporation tax for multi national conglomerates, (without a proper infrastructure investment program), proclaiming it ‘the silver bullet’ for our economic woes. Only for Osborne to undermine this single economic strategy by offering a similar type reduction to the rest of the UK.
The Tory retreats on tax credits and disability benefit cuts, are a clear example of what can be achieved by strong effective political opposition and harnessing people power. In contrast SF cries of “there are no alternatives” to accepting Tory austerity now ring hollow.
Their “ourselves alone” strategy did nothing to arrest the Tory onslaught on the poor and disadvantaged in our society. SF chose not to join with the SDLP to reject Tory austerity. Ironically, like Ian Duncan Smith, they could have said no to Osborne and put action before words.
OLIVIA O'KANE
Killyleagh, Co Down
Leadership opportunity squandered
It is a melancholy thing when there is no vision in the land and if confirmation were needed we need look no further than the refusal of the DUP to participate in the 1916 Rising celebrations. What an opportunity to show political maturity and statesmanship. But no, just a crass refusal, like Sinn Féin who refused to take part in the Queen’s visit to Dublin. The outcome of this crassness resulting in President Higgins declining an invitation to visit Belfast.
Since the signing of the Belfast Agreement these two factions have lived a cat and dog life of it by preserving all the mischiefs without any of the assets, if there ever were any from this union. We must not forget that the British government have aided this state of affairs by handing out sops as a remedy and a reward, instead of insisting that the Belfast Agreement be accepted in full when there was no common reason for resisting it.
These seemingly hostile political parties are mentally linked to one another and their chief asset would appear to be negativity.
The striking thing about them is their complete lack of any constructive suggestions. There is nothing to them except the irresponsible carping of people who have been handed power and don’t know what to do with it.
A modern Ireland cannot afford either of them, patriotism and intelligence go together. Only when they are gone and the younger men and women in their respective parties grasp what century they are living in will the electorate get what they voted for.
WILSON BURGESS
Derry city
Parading guidelines
Now that the furore has died down over the conflict on the Ormeau Road on Easter Tuesday it may be a good time to reflect on what is expected from those on parade.
The Parades Commission has produced guidelines which are available on-line or hard copy from the commission. The present guidelines date from 2005 and are appended to all determinations.
The portions of the guidelines relevant to the events on the Ormeau are:
Public Procession – whenever possible, the public procession should be positioned on one side of the carriageway so as to allow for the free flow of traffic, or as otherwise stipulated by police. Policing
organisers of public processions must cooperate with the police from the time of submission of the notice of intention to organise a public procession until the public procession disperses.
Given that many of today’s bands are very large it is difficult for the police restrict them to one side of the road and to maintain a free flow of traffic. It would help if bands restricted themselves to four abreast where the free flow of traffic must be maintained.
The bottom line is that all participants must cooperate with the police. This means obeying the police because it is they who have the ultimate responsibility for public safety.
Rev BRIAN KENNAWAY
Co Antrim
Opportunity wasted
It is disappointing that yet again the Northern Ireland Executive has wasted an opportunity to trust women.
Members of the executive should hang their heads in shame at their continued failure to bring clarity to the issue of abortion.
These latest guidelines from the health minister do not take into account Justice Horner’s ruling and are not human rights compliant.
There is no clarity for women needing abortion services.
Northern Ireland’s archaic abortion law needs to be updated. Those standing for election would do well to listen and trust women.
CLARE BAILEY
Deputy leader of the
Green Party
