I wish to draw attention to the irresponsible views (March 15) put forward, without critical analysis, by The Irish News that the “economic consequences of Putin invasion could be vast and dire.” Concentrating on the fact that “the economic growth rate could be less by about one per cent point etc.” The article goes on to say that one consequence of the Russian-Ukraine war is of course that many countries are confirming major increases in defence spending. It then says “but on the plus side” Dr Esmond Birnie, senior economist at the Ulster University, predicts that “higher military spending will bring market opportunities for some Northern Ireland businesses in manufacturing services. The shipyard could conceivably be part of bids for Royal Navy work, local aerospace is already involved in researching unmanned next generation aircraft and there are likely to be orders for the missiles produced by Thales,” he said. “And while we are likely to be looking at a future in which, to an extent, ploughs are being turned into swords or tanks, the way the Barnett formula works ensures that higher UK defence spending translates into a bigger block grant for Stormont. Unintended consequences are always significant.”
To be writing about this at the time when thousands are starving, getting displaced and killed, not just in Ukraine but in Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq is unbelievable.
There is no doubt that arms production is terribly profitable it is the most lucrative branch of heavy industry – and in itself it acts as an incentive to war. It is also the greatest danger to our environment. The vicious circle of military spending/profits, war, deaths, refugees, cuts in health and welfare and more military spending, more profits is inhuman and immoral. The Downpatrick Declaration put out by the Peace People in December 2021 stated: “Our children, our communities, our environment cannot be sustained by weapons we need to convert swords to ploughs.”
Military solutions is no solution. Our everlasting call should be for, peace not war, money to be spent on Welfare not warfare.
LYNDA WALKER
Belfast BT15
Comparing EU to British Empire
‘Today Irish nationalism fervently supports the EU, which has replaced Britain as Europe’s major empire’. This is a direct quote from Patrick Murphy’s column (March 12). Upon reading this I decided to check the definition of the word ‘empire’ and noted the following: an extensive group of states or countries ruled over by a monarch, an oligarchy, or a sovereign state. I would agree that this definition would apply to the former British Empire, but not to the EU, which is made up of states working in conjunction with each other. Also, many of us will know that many countries wishing to leave the British Empire (including Ireland) had to fight a bloody war of independence. Compare this to the UK’s ability to leave the EU by way of referendum. Not a drop of blood was shed.
Patrick Murphy often attacks the EU and, from this, I can only assume that he is a fervent supporter of Brexit. If only he would use one of his weekly columns to point out what the benefits of Brexit have been. Perhaps he could get some advice from the UK’s farming and fishing communities. He’ll find them under a bus beside the DUP. Apart from the introduction of blue British passports (which were actually available when a member of the EU), the only other benefit I can see is to allow the UK to have its own bureaucratic system of dealing with refugees from war-torn Ukraine (the ‘hostile environment’ in action). Then again, this is what many people had in mind when they voted for Brexit and also to elect the current British government. Who can forget the slogan to ‘control our borders’? What’s intriguing is that the same people are surprised that the government is giving them what they wanted.
DANNY BOYD
Newtownabbey, Co Antrim
Similarities between Ireland and Ukraine
When I was thinking about why I cared so much about a far off place called Ukraine it soon became apparent that as an irishman a number of similarities became apparent;
1. Both Ireland and Ukraine have a larger nuclear nation to their east.
2. Both were former colonies of the bigger country and both countries are both led by people who view their former empires through rose-tinted glasses.
3. As a result there is a shared history and strong familial ties. This has led to love/hate relationship.
4. Both bigger countries have a strong anti-European (pro-Brexit) feelings. I have to wonder if Putin looked on the crack of Brexit was a schism in European unity.
5. The bigger countries also occupy part of Ireland and Ukraine.
As a result of these similarities and the images of human suffering I can only wish The Irish News well with its endeavour to raise funds in its Ukraine appeal.
RP GRACY
Belfast BT17
Stormont standing idly by
Last Thursday 800 P&O Ferry workers – many of whom had been there years – were fired and told that it would be their last day of employment. This is a company whose profits for 2021 were reported to exceed $1.16 billion.
In one fell swoop, they sacked hundreds of loyal employees in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis with ‘agency workers’ on slave wages. The RMT has stated that the Indian seafarers contracted to replace P&O employees are being paid an exploitative £1.81 per hour. It is hard to say this is anything less than labour exploitation.
These 800 employees all have family relying on them, and now found themselves with no employment – while bills
and the very cost of existence continues to spiral. All P&O employees from the north must be supported by Stormont, and an investigation commissioned into P&O’s handling of labour malpractices. We need more than expressions of solidarity with these employees.
Stormont must bury its dysfunction and ensure that the necessary workers protections are in place now. It is time now to hold P&O to account.
Cllr DENISE MULLEN
Aontú, Fermanagh,
South Tyrone
