Opinion

Devolution clear evidence we’re galaxies away from united Ireland

The public at large are well and truly sick of Northern Ireland and its indefinite talks leading to deadlock and more talks to break the multitude of deadlocks.


Former secretary of state Peter Hain rightly said: “time has to be called on the Stormont soap opera”. It is ridiculous beyond belief and despite the two-decade age of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement since its signing, there is still no working system. Sinn Féin seem to be at fault in demanding endless concessions and have pushed their luck too far. Their refusal to nominate a minister  brought down the institutions which should not be forgotten when the recriminations begin as direct rule is imposed once again.


Sinn Féin will never accept devolution in the long run – they want united Ireland which is a completely different beast altogether. One can imagine how long it would take for discussions to take on the issue of forming a unitary state. The failure of devolution is clear evidence that we are galaxies away from a united Ireland and the chances are extremely remote to say the least, especially with Sinn Féin around in concession mode. The secrecy surrounding talks and the length of time they take every time Stormont goes down is shameful. The public have a right to know what is going on as it is their money which is at stake, yet we are all in the dark bar the Irish language. Even where some kind of agreement is reached the details are rarely known and only come out during implementation where there the proof is in the pudding. The trouble is that Sinn Féin are feigning devolution when what they really want is a united Ireland.


They want to get around the GFA by creating an impasse such as refusing to nominate a first minister and then try to carve out a pathway to a united Ireland with protracted side talks in lieu of power sharing. Sinn Féin see devolution only as a stepping stone to a united Ireland and their insistence on a standalone Irish language act is all the proof anyone needs. They want Northern Ireland to be exactly like the Republic – though the Irish language is rarely spoken there – and hollow out the union as much as possible. Unionists must have been out of their minds in believing that devolution would work with Sinn Féin and may now see the error in their thinking.


Of course devolution did not start off with Sinn Féin it must be remembered and started with the SDLP in power-sharing. However, the SDLP now seem to be singing from the same hymn sheet as Sinn Féin on the Irish language so what is the difference? 

MAURICE FITZGERALD


Shanbally, Co Cork

DUP has no intention of freeing shackles of sectarian politics

The entity that is Stormont appears as if it is about to come crumbling down not because of some illegal or unconstitutional issue but because, it is suggested, one of the main players in this faltering house of trembling cards calmly portray themselves as superior to all others. In so doing they lack the will to see themselves as equal partners – thus similar to petulant children bickering in the school playground over petty issues. They sulk away proclaiming they don’t want to play anymore when their ill-conceived perceptions are challenged. It is abundantly clear the DUP have never embraced the idea of opening the beloved doors of Stormont and freeing the shackles of sectarian politics. The age-old maxim of ‘never, never, never’ which they profoundly adhere to is the basis of the present impasse. The DUP needs to realise and accept the concept of joint authority, that first and deputy first minister positions are/were an equal enterprise and that equality for all is the foundation of any democracy, not their perception of it. Without this basic premise there is no reason to continue the absurd pretence that is their version of democratic practices. There has to be an understanding from the hierarchy of the party that the world does not revolve around them.


However, there is an all-encompassing view that they are unlikely to change this approach. Therefore it is inevitable that Stormont – their holy grail – is likely to be confined to the dustbin of history.

KEVIN McCANN


Belfast BT1

Lonely Planet may have lost the run of itself

I read with some interest that the Causeway Coast, most notably the Giant’s Causeway (October 25) have been named by Lonely Planets Best in Travel 2018 Guide the number one place in the world to visit. Our world is getting a much smaller place. It brought to mind the 18th Century historian Dr Samuel Johnson’s quote: ‘The Giant’s Causeway is worth seeing but not worth going to see.’

If he was around today what observation might he have made of present-day Belfast, bedecked with flags of different hue, murals, sectarian slogans the oddly named peace walls, regular racist attacks.  


Is it possible he might have questioned Belfast’s lofty position with the quote: ‘Give Belfast a miss unless your journey is really necessary.’

With apologies to Lonely Planet I know you are doing an excellent job in promoting tourism in beautiful parts of our country but in this particular instance to use a much used expression ‘Is it possible that you might have lost the run of yourselves?

W CASSIDY


Bellaghy, Co Derry

Sinn Féin – a party of principles?

Am I the only nationalist minded person on this island who thinks the implementation of an Irish language act is a step too far? There is ample opportunity for anyone to learn Irish if they so desire. 

We have had the farcical situation in Stormont where documents are translated into Irish and, as there has to be a quid pro quo, they are also translated into Ulster Scots. How many MLAs read the translated documents as their first choice? In these austere times I would much prefer to see potholes filled in rather than by lingual road signs. 

Of course Mr Adams and Sinn Féin have their principles and while I wholeheartedly agreed with Martin McGuinness when he withdrew the party from the assembly, because of the high-handed attitude of unionists, the Irish language was not a major issue at that time. 

Sinn Féin’s principle has left the north without nationalist representation at Westminster. We are being rail roaded out of Europe by the Conservatives, aided by the DUP and Sinn Féin votes could make a real difference in crucial Brexit debates.


Sinn Féin was able to set aside its principles to take seats in the parliaments of the ‘Free State’ and the ‘Occupied Six Counties’ so what is the justification for not representing those who elected them to Westminster?


If it is all about not recognising the English Queen, Martin McGuinness’s handshake surely negated that principle. 

P McKENNA


Newry, Co Down