Respect is a word we have heard often recently in Northern Ireland. However, as a quality which is about due regard for the feelings and rights of others it has been distinctly absent from the world of our politics.
The Good Friday Agreement signed up to in 1998 by the vast majority of the people of Ireland emphasised that there would be parity of esteem and full respect for the identity, ethos and aspirations of both communities.
In the last 10 years, since DUP and Sinn Féin have been at the top of government, their language and actions have prevented that full respect, increasing the sectarianism and polarisation of our society, exemplified in glorification of violence on one side and appeasement of paramilitary behaviour on the other.
The acceptance through the Good Friday Agreement that Northern Ireland would remain part of the UK, until a majority of the people of Northern Ireland and of the Republic of Ireland wished otherwise, should have encouraged all of our political parties to overcome the ‘them and us’ mentalities which divide our communities.
Since the constitutional question stands in abeyance waiting for change in mindsets and circumstances, the focus of political leadership should then concentrate on cooperation, working together on the positive development of our civic society and the economy.
The outcomes of continuing confrontation and division are clear – no government, no budget, deterioration of our health service, increasing difficulties in resourcing our schools, the weakening of voluntary organisations, loss of young people to emigration, no united voice on Brexit.
The failures of positive political leadership by DUP and Sinn Féin both at local council and assembly levels are denying hope for the future for all of the people of Northern Ireland.
It is time that DUP and Sinn Féin reached conclusion in negotiations and entered into the proper power-sharing systems required by the ideals of the Good Friday Agreement.
It is time that all voters demanded of those parties the good governance that they require as was demonstrated in the recent protests about proposed cuts in health services. True respect
will only flow from fair treatment for all sectors of our society, emanating from all political parties.
ROSEMARY FLANAGAN
Drumclay, Enniskillen
Republic has no say in UK’s negotiations with EU
Former taoiseach John Bruton appears to see himself as the Irish version of Tony Blair, telling everyone in Britain they ‘must’ stay inside the EU, regardless of the democratic vote which told John and Tony that Britain is leaving.
What part of this democratic expression do they not understand?
Bruton says that the UK “needs another six years to reconsider voting again to stay” within the EU shambles. Oh really?
Why would this happen exactly when the facts point to continuing austerity and unemployment which for a decade has been the policies for all of us, by Brussels, Berlin and Paris.
Voting for a better way of life by the powerful population of Britain was the most sensible route to take when the very national laws of each member state in the EU is being usurped or changed by that dictatorial bloc.
In Ireland we are still blind to this, even though by us passing some EU referendums and being made to change others after we were naughty, we cannot now even hold a referendum to leave the EU.
This was a clause in one of those decrees we signed up to. Where is the freedom of nations in such a regulation?
We now begin to learn that this little republic has no power or even the tiniest say in Britain’s negotiations with the EU. We do not count in all of this and why should we?
Britain has won all of their vital battles and saved Europe when it was called upon, twice in the 20th century.
This is a world power which will not be pushed around by Irish EU jabberers, or the supposed heavy-hitters in EU headquarters. Britain will be progressing long after the EU tyranny is long gone.
ROBERT SULLIVAN
Bantry, Co Cork
Brexit – no matter the outcome north will suffer
In relation to Brexit, I have often wondered why David Cameron agreed to hold a referendum on a simple yes/no basis before he or anybody else knew what sort of Brexit could be negotiated. Surely this was putting the cart before the proverbial horse. Was it not possible to delay the referendum until, say 2020, and in the interim to try and negotiate the best possible outcome for Britain. When the details of the agreement were known, then the people would have a much clearer idea about what they were voting for.
Some of the many difficulties and vital considerations such as the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, free trade arrangements, outstanding payments, the role of the European Court and most importantly, the unique solution for Northern Ireland that must be negotiated. In my opinion we would have avoided the obvious ill-will which has arisen between Britain and the EU. I feel the the EU would have tried hard to keep Britain in and might also have looked more kindly on the type of relationship they wanted with Britain, remembering that Britain conducts a large amount of trade with the other EU members. However, having been faced with the fait accompli they have obviously dug in their heels or worse want to teach Britain a lesson.
BRIAN COLLINS
Ballynahinch, Co Down
EU is bad for your health
The ‘true national health service’ promised by the recent Sinn Féin all Ireland health proposal runs completely out of sync with their current EU stance. While they make reference in the document to opposing privatisation of our health services their counterparts the EU continue to follow through rapid privatisation of health services via TTIP & TISA.
The EU are continuing their attempts to align our public services with that of the US. Under their ongoing trade acts it will make privatisation impossible to reverse and generate a US-style health service for all EU citizens controlled by multi-billion dollar health and pharmaceutical corporations.
While I welcome the proposals of an all Ireland health service and fully support its economical and social advantages you cannot avoid the massive political contradiction by Sinn Féin. The EU is doing everything in its power to stop public health services in order to exploit the people in favour of corporate greed. Their proposals simply cannot be done under the EU framework.
People need an all Ireland health service based on the demands of the people, not the demands of the global financial elite and their bank accounts.
JOE MATTHEWS
Irish Republican Socialist Party, Belfast
Expression of thanks
On behalf of the local volunteer-led charity Parkinson’s Support I thank the people of Holywood for their generous donations of £630 to the street collection in Holywood town centre on Saturday September 9. All funds raised are used in Northern Ireland to provide support for people with Parkinson’s and their carers.
JACKIE CAMPBELL
Newtownabbey, Co Antrim
