Once again Northern Ireland has been plunged into political crisis and the ‘Northern Ireland Protocol’ is alleged to be the reason for it.
The ‘blame game’ has already started. Sinn Féin blames the DUP, the DUP blames everybody but themselves. Both parties are cynically exploiting the situation so that they may deflect blame from themselves as they jockey for position to become the First Minister whenever the Assembly election takes place.
The truth is that they both are to blame.
When Theresa May was prime minister the DUP allied with hard-line Conservative Brexiteers and others to vote down her withdrawal deal which would actually have prevented a hard border.
Between March and April 2019, there were a number of key votes in the Westminster parliament that would have kept not only Northern Ireland but the UK as a whole in the EU Customs Union. In particular, there were two amendments from former British chancellor Ken Clarke which were defeated on March 28 2019 by six votes and on the April 1 by three votes.
If the DUP had voted in favour of either of these amendments, although Brexit would still have gone ahead, it would nonetheless have resulted in a situation where the entire UK would have remained in the EU-UK Customs Union and this would have prevented the ongoing Great Britain – Northern Ireland trading problems from ever arising.
Alternatively, even without the DUP changing its voting position, had Sinn Féin, as well as taking their expenses, ended their futile policy of abstentionism and supported the Clarke amendments the exact same positive outcome would also have occurred.
Instead, these two parties betrayed the real interests not only of the people of Northern Ireland but also of the Republic of Ireland by pursuing selfish party-political interests which they are now repeating.
If either had acted differently, there would never have been a need for a ‘Northern Ireland Protocol’ in the first place.
I hope the electorate in Northern Ireland remember this when the forthcoming Assembly election takes place.
JOHN CUSHNAHAN
Former Alliance Party leader, Lisnagry, Co Limerick
Foreign interference
As we reflect on the dignified commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the slaughter of innocent civil rights marchers on Bloody Sunday by the British state in Ireland we must double our efforts for truth and accountability for these terrible deeds.
A day after this commemoration the Irish representative on the United Nation Security Council, Geraldine Byrne Nason, spoke on the important issue of removing the tensions between Russia and the Ukraine.
One part of her statement left me stunned as she boasted: “Earlier this month, Ireland marked 100 years of a hard-won independence. Just as we would not accept another state determining our foreign and security policy, Ukraine similarly has the sovereign right to choose its own policies.”
This shameful misrepresentation of our history needs to be challenged. A century ago Britain’s then PM David Lloyd George’s threatened “immediate and terrible war” on the Irish people if the Irish delegates refused to accept the treaty which would annex the north-east of our country and leave the remaining partitioned 26 counties a dominion of the British Empire.
This was just the beginning of a terrible tragedy when the new Free State government accepted the interference of a foreign power in the affairs and security of our nation. They then turned on the Revolutionary Army who had fought for that hard-won freedom because of their refusal to surrender any part of our country. British military support (weapons and finance) then helped the Free State government to win the terrible civil war which would shamefully cement 100 years of British misrule in Ireland.
The people living in the north-east of Ireland know only too well how the past and current successors of the civil war have left us to the mercy of a foreign power that implemented a brutal sectarian apartheid in this part of our country. The final insult to the truth is how this political elite continue to promote the propaganda that the 26 counties is the nation of Ireland.
MICHAEL HAGAN
Dunmurry, Co Antrim
Making a difference
For most of us, our sight is our most precious sense by far.
For anyone diagnosed with a condition that could affect their sight, or who has experienced sight loss, having someone who understands what you’re going through can make a huge difference.
This is where RNIB’s free ‘Need to Talk’ counselling and confidence building service comes in.
Funded by the European Union’s INTERREG VA programme, supported by the SEUPB Programmes Body, ‘Need to Talk’ gives anyone affected by sight loss, their friends and family, the opportunity to have a free hour-long Mental Wellbeing Check-in, further counselling, and to attend ‘living well with sight loss’ courses.
We’re here to help people talk through some of the issues that are affecting them. We help access the emotional and practical support people need to adapt to life with sight loss.
If you contact us, you can speak with a counsellor through one of our Mental Wellbeing Check-ins within 72 hours. If further counselling is required, sessions should start within one month.
We are calling for health professionals, family and friends, to refer people to this vital free support service.
Our counsellors are ready to take your call.
Find out more at rnib.org.uk/NeedToTalk or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
ROBERT SHILLIDAY
RNIB Northern Ireland
Tributes to Anita Robinson
I would like to express my condolences to the family of Anita Robinson who has passed away within the past few days.
Its only of recent times that l have become an avid reader of Anita’s weekly column and they always brought a smile to my face and the occasional burst of laughter. She had a brilliant style of writing and l think the recent comments of Mark Durkin summed it up well. Anita was a gem and l am greatly saddened at her passing. Go nndeana Dia mhaith uirthi.
DAITHI ADAMS
Belfast BT12
I am so sorry to hear Anita Robinson has passed away. I always looked forward to reading her column. I used to be sitting laughing out loud and her wit and her attention to detail was amazing. Anita, rest in peace. Our condolences to her daughter and family circle.
MARY McDONALD
Belfast BT8
I was very sorry to hear of the death of Anita Robinson.
She was a brilliant columnist.
I looked forward each week to her well-written and humorous accounts of her life experiences. My deepest sympathy to her daughter.
She is now reunited with her husband in heaven.
DYMPNA McCLUSKEY
Ballymoney, Co Antrim
We were so saddened to hear of Anita Robinson’s death. We always looked forward to reading her article every Tuesday, she brightened our day. May she rest in peace.
FIONNUALA COOLEY
