It is clear that the DUP have backed themselves into a corner in terms of movement on a standalone Irish Language Act, legislating for same-sex marriage, and on legacy issues.
Sinn Féin have categorised these issues as being essentially about equality and it is difficult to argue with this interpretation.
The problem is that the DUP’s position is supported by several hundred thousand DUP supporters, which makes it very difficult for them to be seen to be unilaterally backing down to what will be perceived to be the demands of Sinn Féin.
Of course Sinn Féin are also locked into their position and would be completely discredited if they were to enter government with the DUP, where no formal implementation plans were in place to address these equality issues. Some would argue that this is akin to an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object and I have yet to hear any creative suggestions coming forward as to how this impasse might be broken without one side conceding significant ground.
When thinking about how this challenge might be overcome one man immediately comes to my mind and that is the late Martin McGuinness, God rest his soul.
In my view Martin was one of the most inspirational and intelligent political leaders the world has seen in recent times, not because of his capacity to make difficult compromises for the greater
good, but his capacity to make it easier for his opponents to compromise, through his own words and actions. I believe that this capacity to lead by example remains within the Sinn Féin leadership, particularly Gerry Adams. What is needed is some act by Sinn Féin of political compromise, an action to support reconciliation with our unionist neighbours. This could be done unilaterally by Sinn Féin, or combined within a package of political compromise from both Sinn Féin and the DUP, to unlock the current political stalemate.
In my view one truly transformational action that Sinn Féin could take, while continuing to pursue the goal of Irish unification, would be to formally recognise the legitimacy of Northern Ireland as a political entity and to move to dropping the use of alternative terms for the northern state, formally adopting the use of the term ‘Northern Ireland’ in future reference.
I fully understand the context for not using the term Northern Ireland, given the undemocratic way that it was established in 1921.
However, it is now a term that is held dearly by the unionist population and wouldn’t this be an opportune moment to reach out the hand of friendship and respect to our neighbours as Gerry Adams called for recently, a step change in how we relate to each other?
This would take the pressure off the DUP so that they can finally do the right thing and ensure that no one looses face.
Isn’t the equality we yearn for a worthy prize for yet another step on Martin’s and Sinn Fein’s, journey of reconciliation?
D Mac SEIRIDH
Belfast BT11
Suggestion psychiatry not evidence-based profession unhelpful
May I take this opportunity to reply to the article, ‘Use of electroconvulsive therapy without patient’s consent rises’ (July 17). As is noted in the article, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment used for patients with an episode of severe depression. Guidance on the use of ECT is outlined in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence – Clinical Guideline 59 (Guidance on the use of electroconvulsive therapy) and Clinical Guideline 90 (Depression in adults: recognition and management).
Patients prescribed ECT are generally at significant risk of taking their own lives, of severe damage to their physical health by the failure to eat or drink adequately, or their condition has not responded to multiple other treatments. For this group of patients ECT can be, and frequently is, a life-saving treatment. Although ECT is occasionally given as an emergency when the person’s life is in danger, it is most often recommended by psychiatrists after very careful consideration and discussion with the patient and after other treatments have been tried. I think that the use of the term ‘ECT zealots’ is therefore unhelpful.
ECT use is regulated in Northern Ireland by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) – who undertake regular inspections of all sites on which ECT is carried out and receive quarterly returns.
Internationally, the trend has been for the rates of ECT to reduce until the mid-2000s, then increase moderately. This pattern is broadly reflected in Northern Ireland. An increase from one year to another does not indicate a consistent trend.
The article discusses an increase in the numbers of patients receiving ECT in the absence of consent. Use of ECT on such occasions is carefully regulated and supervised by RQIA. The patient will have the safeguards of the Mental Health Order and a second opinion is required from a Consultant Psychiatrist authorised by RQIA.
Depression can be, unfortunately, a recurrent illness. Prof Read’s statement that ECT has no lasting benefits is reasonable, but misses the point. The use of ECT is to treat an individual episode, to shorten that episode and relieve the suffering associated with it.
Memory problems can be a longer-term side effect. It is not clear how much of this is due to the ECT and how much is due to the depressive illness or other factors. .
Prof Read’s suggestion that “the continued use of this procedure suggests that psychiatry is not an evidence-based profession” is unhelpful and contributes to the stigma around mental illness and its treatment.
ECT is a valuable treatment option reserved for patients whose lives are at risk. There is evidence that within this population ECT is effective.
Dr GERRY LYNCH
Consultant Psychiatrist Chair of RCPsych in Northern Ireland
Bizzarro world that is the UK
In DC Comics there is a planet known as Bizarro World where everything is the opposite of Earth. Having witnessed the outcome of last month’s general election you could well describe the UK that way.
The old Tory citadels in the most affluent parts of London are now Labour controlled as Guardian-readers can now afford to live there.
While in the north of England, old Labour citadels such as Mansfield are now in the hands of the Tories due to the sense of betrayal the people there feel towards Labour due to both the Iraq War and mass immigration.
Perhaps England should become more like Italy in olden times and have sovereign cities and regions? A referendum in Venice a few years back had a majority in favour of Venice breaking away from the rest of Italy – mainly due to the feeling they have to subsidise the south of Italy.
I am becoming even more convinced that the Union is untenable.
DESMOND DEVLIN
Ardboe, Co Tyrone
Earth’s revenge
The ‘climate change industry’ is big business, our heavily subsidised wind turbines which scar our beautiful landscapes just one example. But are we not confusing man-made pollutions with natural climatic changes? Mother Earth can deal with temperature fluctuations but not man-made pollutions in all its forms – plastic in our seas; nuclear waste; herbicides; pesticides; chemical products and traffic smog. But ironically old Mother Earth could still reap her revenge thanks to our manic desire for ‘gadgets’ producing excessive electro-magnetic radiations. Lab-rats subjected to the later became sterile within a few generations. Now that could be a major concern for future generations if there are any.
JOHN MacBRIAR
Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim
