My family and I have always supported Sinn Féin, even through difficult times. However, their recent climb down to the DUP was humiliating.
If they cared at all about their working-class constituents then they would have realised the depth of anger out there about Arlene Foster and the DUP.
People in our communities are struggling to heat their homes this winter because of the decisions made by Arlene Foster and her DUP colleagues.
Over the next 20 years we will pay hundreds of millions to RHI claimants.
Sinn Féin should pull the Stormont charade down or hang their heads in shame.
JAMES REILLY
Belfast BT12
People of north deserve to have voices heard
The recent controversy over the RHI scheme has exposed greater problems than the loss of something in excess of £400m to the Northern Ireland public purse.
Yes, in itself it is a huge issue – incompetence, possible corruption, deceit, lack of accountability, lack of leadership, cronyism. I could go on.
Of course the executive was also expected to publish a budget statement on December 19. That did not happen and appears to have gone unnoticed in the local media. Organisations in all sectors are thus left guessing about funding and areas of potential investment – not for the first time. I am not a statistician, a mathematician or an economist and I will leave it to others to work out how £400m compares to the amount lost to the public purse here since 2009 – resulting in many organisations being cut to the bone or indeed disappearing.
Big issues in themselves and the lack of true leadership and accountability are perhaps the biggest. The point is the structures of governance do not work and lend themselves to self interest of individuals or political parties. The 1998 agreement, as subsequently amended, should have only ever been a transitional arrangement and it is clearly time that we on these islands revisited our political and constitutional structures. It is no longer good enough for the people of Northern Ireland to be fobbed off with rhetoric such as ‘it (the assembly) is better than what we had during the Troubles’. We must have bigger ambitions than that and the current structures do not deliver and cannot deliver those ambitions.
The constitutional position of the ‘British Isles’ has been brought into focus by both the Scottish Referendum and the EU referendum. That discussion must continue in 2017 and the people of the north of Ireland deserve to have their voices heard in that discussion – clearly cannot be left to our politicians
EAMON MULLAN
Garvagh, Co Derry
Arlene should resign and hope to retain remnant of dignity
Last year was a memorable one not only for the loss of many iconic authors, singer/songwriters and actors of stage and screen but also in the weird world of politics – Brexit and the emergence of Donald Trump in America.
This, however, pales into insignificance when the toxic and underhand dealings occurring in local politics more closer to home is taken into consideration. The outrageous and despicable manoeuvrings of the DUP and its tarnished leader Arlene Foster is nothing short of scandalous.
This person is the chosen one to represent the north on expensive jaunts around the world. It would be interesting to know if she explained to the Chinese her and her party’s decision to fund a terrorist linked organisation. Her refusal to accept responsibility for the shambles of the Renewable Heat Incentive is undoubtedly making a mockery of project Northern Ireland that she forlornly and stubbornly continues to promote.
It is abundantly clear Mrs Foster was at the helm of this vastly over inflated and unregulated, over generous RHI money making machine.
As a rule and like on most occasions she arrogantly refuses to accept any wrongdoing even after her closest confidante spills the beans. Although there is a suggestion Jonathan Bell got the boot in first before he was forced to fall on his sword.
The DUP and Arlene may be under the impression the holiday break has allowed cooler heads to prevail. This is highly unlikely as everyday brings further and more damning revelations.
Indications are this is not going away, as previous warnings from companies with direct input to this increasingly expensive money incinerator scheme point to a hidden agenda. Stop gaps were recommended with tighter controls and cut off schedules all ignored. Would it then not be prudent, and is it not incumbent upon her, to bow out gracefully?
Alternatively she can remain and live in ignominious dishonour or she can resign and hope to retain a remnant of dignity in an increasingly truthful world.
KEVIN McCANN
Belfast BT1
Dangerous lack of judgment
There is a clear drive to target Ms Foster and Mr Bell as prime culprits in a debacle that could cost us something around £400 to £600 million. People sense blood. This is a mistake. The issue is the loss of such sums and the emphasis ought not to be on personalities but on the systems that brought it about. Taking on individuals really distracts us from the main aim – what system permitted this?
Focusing on nailing someone does nothing. Put in mechanisms that seek redress and ensure nothing like this will happen again. This will include identifying individuals involved as well as seeking to set some or all of our money back.
Now a related matter is the associated crisis in Stormont over the unwillingness of Ms Foster to step aside to free up the proposed inquiry.
In a paradoxical way Ms Foster has played into the hands of those who want to play the personality play – which will ensure that the inquiry is impeded in its work.
Will this see the end of Stormont? I think not. But yet again, as in the Charter NI affair, Ms Foster shows a dangerous lack of judgment which must impinge on any further decisions she makes.
MANUS McDAID
Derry City
Doing the will of God
In recent letters in The Irish News the Rev John Gray stated that Mary was not a Virgin as she had six more children after Jesus. (He didn’t name them).
Matthew 12-46 to 50 says: ‘While He was still speaking to the people, behold, His mother and His brothers stood outside asking to speak to Him. But He replied to the man who told him, who is My mother and who are My brothers and stretching out His hand towards his disciples He said here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of My father in heaven, is My brother and sister and mother.’
I once heard a Protestant clergy man say there is no word for cousin in the Hebrew language. All near relatives are called brother and sister.
ED McMAHON
Belfast BT15
Expression of thanks
The residents, staff and senior management of Utility Street Men’s Hostel Belfast would like to thank all the people and organisations who called to the hostel over the Christmas period.
We appreciate all the support and assistance we received which was at times overwhelming.
This year more people than ever before brought gifts and donations for the men.
All that we do is enhanced and elevated by the support we receive and for this we are truly thankful.
EDMUND McCULLOUGH
Manager
