Opinion

Onus on republicans to grasp reality of what took place in 1998

Sean O’Fiach’s letter stating that Provisional Sinn Fein (PSF) is no closer to achieving an united Ireland now than they were in 1994 is an accurate reflection of their situation.

This is further verified when British MP Francie Molloy tweeted that they were sold a pup in the Good Friday Agreement (GFA).

The flaws in what was happening in that era leading to the GFA were highlighted to the leadership of PSF in 1997 and their response was to suspend the membership of any member who would question the leadership on their direction of political travel.

Worth remembering is that the process was twofold, a peace process which formed the basis of marketing the agreement and a political process whereby the detail got less prevalence in a lengthy document.

Republicans who formed the 32 County Sovereignty Committee at the time were labelled dissidents and anti-peace, descriptive terms which couldn’t be further from the truth. We weren’t anti-peace, we were against the continued violation of our sovereign rights included in the political process.

Equally we weren’t dissidents as we were upholding the republican constitution at the time, indeed those operating outside the constitution had no authority to violate the sovereignty of the Irish nation.

In April 1998 we lodged a submission at the United Nations challenging the process and challenging the British claim to sovereignty over part of Ireland.

That submission is the only challenge to the violation of Irish sovereignty and is the peaceful alternative to ending British Rule in Ireland. Then the people on the island of Ireland can map out their future free from outside interference and impediment.

If Francie Molloy’s tweet is reflective of PSF thinking it begs the question, what person would acknowledge in an agreement that they were sold a pup and go on to say they support that agreement.

The onus is now on the here and now for republicans to grasp the reality of what took place in 1998 and to develop the international approach to end the violation of Irish national sovereignty.

FRANCIS MACKEY


Chairman, 32 County Sovereignty Movement

Gospel is only complete solution to national identity tensions

A letter by Andrew Shaw (July 23) considers the vexed question of who really owns the land of Israel.


The Jew-Gentile tension in Palestine, as Andrew correctly infers, is certainly not a new problem.


St Paul offered the only real hope and antidote to this tension when he said: “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” The gospel is the only effective and complete solution to national, or racial, or other identity tensions. We saw this illustrated in the powerful impact which the words of the late Gordon Wilson had. The offer of the gospel is open to everyone, provided they take the time to carefully examine the case for Christ, and make a conscious decision to accept the offer of God’s free and undeserved grace. Tensions between black people and white people. Arab and Jew, or Planter and Gael, are often based on a false interpretation of the facts. We are all sinners, we all need Christ, and the New Testament call to repentance is plain: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”


Responding to this call exposes Jew-Arab, or other national identity tensions, as a dangerous distraction from the most fundamental problem of human life. A preacher summarised it thus: “Life is short, death is sure, sin the cause, Christ the cure”.

T J HARDY


Belfast BT5

‘Open Ormeau’ is bad news for many

The proposal to restrict vehicle access to the Ormeau Road is bad news not just for traders but also for the considerable number of people who have restricted mobility and won’t be able to get to the cafes and shops unless they can park nearby. Those who live on the Ravenhill Road are already disadvantaged by having a bus service that runs only once an hour. Will we now have to face a 20 or 30-minute round trip by foot to use the Ormeau Road shops? And if vehicle access to the Ormeau Road is restricted, traffic on the Ravenhill Road will obviously get even worse.

This proposal discriminates against those suffering from various kinds of walking limitations or are simply getting on in years. Many don’t qualify for a Blue Badge but are they not entitled to use the facilities on the Ormeau Road just as much as younger, fitter people?

It may be a nice idea to sit outside the cafes, but unless ‘Open Ormeau’ has some way of influencing the weather, that extra pavement space is going to be bleak and deserted on a wet weekend.

JANET ACHESON


Belfast BT6

Shielding measures a vital lifeline

It is critical that the shielding safety net doesn’t just disappear for people living with cancer – 82,000 people are living with cancer in Northern Ireland. For many people, it is more frightening to be diagnosed with cancer now than during any other time in history.

The shielding measures put in place by the assembly during the pandemic have been a vital lifeline for many over the last four months. However, as that guidance comes to a pause it is critical that this safety net doesn’t just disappear.

Research by Macmillan shows the significant impact of Covid-19 on people living with cancer, the virus and associated lockdown, has left as many as one in four people with cancer feeling stressed, anxious or depressed and one in eight people have seen their mental health worsen. As the pause on shielding comes into effect, we need clarity on how people living with cancer in Northern Ireland will be supported and kept safe as the world tries to return to normal, particularly if there is a need to revisit shielding restrictions in the future.

JANICE PRESTON


Macmillan Cancer Support

Children are our future

Thank you Brian Feeney and Simon Doyle for your excellent articles on education (July 29). It’s shocking how our children have been overlooked. I do know some teachers were excellent about providing work and keeping in touch with pupils others less so. It beggars belief how teachers are not shouting from the rooftops about no response from government.The children are our future Principals, let’s hear you requesting fair play for our children and grandchildren. Parents need to know as they have to plan childcare and secure their work.

MARY McDONALD


Belfast BT8