Opinion

Has 10 years of ‘deliberate provocation and disrespect’ been enough?

A decade into the Troubles, the slogan ‘Ten years is enough’ appeared on walls, left by British Army patrols. Republicans answered by reminding why they resorted to armed resistance. “But 810 years is too much” they painted underneath, referring pointedly to British rule.

Jim Gibney writes (November 8) after the ‘failed experience’ of 10 months of futile talks with the DUP ‘Republicans will be asking if the north is ungovernable’. Ten futile months might be enough to ask. Ten preceding years of what Gerry Adams described as “deliberate provocation, arrogance and disrespect” should be too much to ask for more. 

Jim’s question, about the six counties being ungovernable under power-sharing, or any form of British administration, is not new. Books are written about the north being a ‘failed political entity’. Unionist columnists like Alex Kane explained why Stormont power-sharing would inevitably collapse. Republicans once professed, that because British hegemony was based on sectarian divisions and privileges, it made the six counties inherently ungovernable, or irreformable.

Sinn Féin sought to remove partition and build a national democracy that could give equality and parity of esteem to all, precisely because it did not rely on sectarian differences. They tried to make power-sharing and partnership at Stormont a platform for building cooperation and trust.

Greeting English royals, ‘sorry’ initiatives, ‘Towards an Agreed and Reconciled Future’ etc were all supposed to build goodwill with DUP members and, eventually dispel unionist fears about a united Ireland. In May 2007,the late Martin McGuinness became Deputy First Minister. His credentials enabled him to offer concessions beyond anyone else’s ability.

Instead of good faith and cooperation, the DUP took concessions  as weakness, or insulting bribes to lure them into a united Ireland. They think themselves entitled to their favoured status indulged by British ideology.

Today the DUP profess faith in British courts but block funding because courts and inquests might prove Britain’s legacy is not so innocent. They deny Irish influences warrant an Irish language act then go home to places named Derry, or Enniskillen, or Fermanagh. Agreements get made then renegotiated, never implemented.

Britain’s interests are secured. The DUP can block any moves towards unification. The British decry a lack of agreement while fostering the sectarian system and ideology which ensure disagreement.

Sinn Féin may have proven that a six-county administration is irreformable or ungovernable, even with Sinn Féin making unbelievable efforts to reform or govern it. Ten months of futile talks is enough. Ten years of “deliberate provocation, arrogance and disrespect” are too much to ask for more.

MARTIN GALVIN


New York

Sinn Féin will profit from refusal to endorse DUP

Sinn Féin’s continued absence from Stormont is a master stroke of political timing. While their reasons for not re-establishing the failed Stormont project may differ from mine it’s a perfect opportunity all the same. So long as Tory neo-liberal Thatcherite austerity continues to destroy what’s left of the welfare state, the NHS, the social housing budget and education Sinn Féin will profit from their continued refusal to endorse a regressive DUP who are so far behind the rest of us in society it’s embarrassing.,

The waiting list for hospital appointments from first stage consultation to diagnosis to treatment will continue to lengthen .The home care packages will continue to be constrained and mental health provision is being under funded. Benefit sanctions, universal credit, the bedroom tax, benefit freezes, Personal Independence Plan reviews will continue to cause further  hardship and emotional overload for many. 

While the Tories are propped up by the unionist backwoods men and women, society will continue to crumble.

There is only once antidote to neo-liberal Tory austerity and that is socialism.


I call on the DUP to end its policy of supporting a Tory party that is destroying civil society. Bring the Tory government down and help elect Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Commons.


If the DUP can sit in Stormont with their political opponents they can sit in Westminister with Jeremy and co.

Sinn Féin should continue to sit on the side lines and remain untouched by Tory and now DUP delivered cuts and reap the benefits of a Labour revival ending austerity and return to Stormont only when progress is made in equality for all including a fairer, more equal society.

FRA HUGHES


Belfast BT14

Viability of ferries at risk

There is a growing concern across the North Channel that the viability of the Cairnryan/Larne and the Cairnryan/Belfast routes are being put at risk by the continued lack of investment in the roads infrastructure serving the Lochryan Ports compared to the improvements being made to the northern English and Welsh Ports’ infrastructure. Both Stena Line and P&O have raised these concerns both publicly and to the Scottish government.


I am involved with two pressure groups fighting for road upgrades to the A75 and the A77 connecting the North Channel ferry routes with England and the Scottish central belt respectively. These groups (Dual The A75& The A77 Action Group)had a petition heard at Holyrood last Thursday and have made some very promising progress so far but there is a lot more to do.

This is an issue that we feel is not only vitally important to SW Scotland but also has significant ramifications socially and economically to Northern Ireland, therefore I am asking politicians and business people to get involved, let the Scottish government know that their decisions on these roads affect lives on the other side of the channel and that investment or lack thereof impacts your communities as well. I am particularly keen for  politicians to get in contact and meet with me at the Dual The A75 group about these issues.

MATT HALLIDAY


Stranraer, Scotland

Bad banking

The announcement of the planned closure of the last bank in Portrush by Ulster Bank sets out quite clearly – if we had been in any doubt – what motivates banks.

Banks produce expensive commercials telling us how much they care, but in reality financial return out weighs any sense of social or moral responsibility.

The people hit hardest by this terrible decision will be the elderly who do not have an internet connection, or those that feel they do not have the ability to use the World Wide Web.

Ulster Bank seems to care little for some of the most vulnerable in society.

M CAIRNS


Belfast BT15

Out of touch with Ulster Gaels

Amidst all the focus by the nationalist media over old legacy cases of murders carried out by the Glenanne Gang, which would have been priority number one 10 or 15 years ago, the talk among Ulster Catholics on the street was about Colm Cavanagh winning an All-Star.

It seems the nationalist media is out of touch with Ulster Gaels.

DESMOND DEVLIN


Ardboe, Co Tyrone