The unparalleled electoral success of Sinn Féin in the 26 counties was remarkable, producing as it did a sea change in Irish politics. The result was also an acute indication of the disillusionment felt by large swathes of Irish men and women toward the old guard of the two main parties and their thick-as-thieves double act. The visceral response from the strands of unionism in the northern six counties was vitriolic, disingenuous and displayed an abject lack of endearment as all clamoured to offer insult and attack the dignity of those democratically elected.
First to exhibit or appreciate the wealth of scepticism shown by the electorate was the current leader of the DUP who, while attempting to assuage and reassure her own voters, described the overwhelming achievement as a ‘protest vote’ and ‘we should not forget the constitutional position of Northern Ireland is within the UK’ and while that may be the case as it stands it need not always be.
If anyone has pushed the case for constitutional change it is the DUP whose abysmal performance, while nonchalantly stomping around Westminster as ‘pseudo power makers’, forced this issue to the top of the agenda.
Adding to the conceited and contorted contentions were the absurd inflections of Jim Allister who espoused ‘the DUP by endorsing Sinn Féin were short sightedly making them fit for government’. This was quickly followed by the pathetic rumblings of the MP for South Antrim who shared the same ludicrous sentiments – ‘Sinn Féin are useless in government’.
If one was to reminisce maybe these gentlemen could be more specific, perhaps they are talking about the RHI affair, where those in charge of public finances lumped the taxpayer with a £500m deficit. A case of pot, kettle, black.
KEVIN McCANN
Belfast BT1
As is often the case with the DUP rhetoric seldom matches reality
Diane Dodds, the minister responsible for higher education, said in an interview with The Irish News: ‘Education for me opened up opportunities and I want to see opportunity offered for everyone.” I recognise and applaud her sentiments but opportunity alone is of little consequence if the child or young person is unable to take advantage of it.
Children from disadvantaged backgrounds come to school less well prepared than their more advantaged peers to take advantage of the educational opportunities available. The American academic Marilyn Jager Adams, author of Beginning to Read, estimated that her young son had had up to 2,000 hours of story book reading – one-on-one – until he began first grade at six. Visiting low- income homes in San Diego, William Teale counted and timed the literacy events that occurred in the lives of 24 pre-school children. Teale estimated that by the time these children were six and entering first grade, their home experience will have prepared them with about 25 hours of story book experience.
High-quality early intervention is the key that allows all children – but more especially disadvantaged children – to make use of the educational opportunities available. The Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years wrote: “High-quality early education supports a child’s full development, including creativity, curiosity and self-confidence, which is essential not just for school but later life.”
As is often the case with the DUP the rhetoric seldom matches the reality. This party has managed to oversee and maintain a system of educational apartheid based on social class and exclusion. Middle-class children go to one type of school and disadvantaged children to another. And just like Education Minister Peter Weir talking about giving every child the opportunity to go to a grammar school, irrespective of class or creed, it’s just all talk and at the end of the day words are cheap. The DUP know what they must do.
JIM CURRAN
Downpatrick, Co Down
Planting native trees is never a bad idea
According to a Chinese proverb, the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
Planting more native trees is never a bad idea. Call it the Great Ulster Forest, relate it to the Decade of Centenaries, whatever. But let’s take any opportunity to plant more trees. We know that we have just over a decade to avoid catastrophic climate breakdown and tackle the ecological crisis. It’s also apparent that we are not doing enough on a local level to meet climate commitments.
Native trees provide a home for our birds and wildlife. They absorb carbon and improve air quality. They reduce storm water run-off which may prevent flooding.
Yet, Northern Ireland has the least amount of woodland in the EU with just 8 per cent cover. The EU recommends 16 per cent cover.
There is some good work happening on the part of voluntary and community groups, such as the Belfast Metropolitan Residents Group and the National Trust, with tree planning initiatives.
It’s time for the NI Executive to show their commitment to climate action and stop relying on community level projects.
Call it what you want, have it celebrate what you want, but let’s tackle climate crisis and help our native birds and wildlife by planting more trees.
RACHEL WOODS MLA
Green Party, North Down
Importance of hand hygiene
I am outraged at the diocese of Down & Connor continuing to shake hands at Mass.
I have written to the diocesan office weeks ago and indicating that when I don’t want to shake hands at Mass people can look offended. In the church where I go the priest or lay people administering the host do not use gel. Hand hygiene is an important aspect to keeping us all healthy from any infections. It is mostly elderly people in Mass these days – the most vulnerable.
MARY McDONALD
Belfast BT8
Good sense has prevailed
I’m so happy to see that the powers that be of the Catholic Church in some dioceses have now decided to stop hand shaking as a means of sharing peace.
Many years ago I wrote a letter to The Irish News asking for this hand shaking to stop in church.
I gave many examples of the bugs that come from our throats expelled by sneezing into hands and spread to our neighbours by shaking hands. Thank God at last good sense has prevailed.
LIZ McWILLIAMS
Kilrea, Co Derry
