Opinion

Unionist politicians know all about the phrase ‘pork barrel politics’

Increasingly Americanisms are creeping into our language. One such phrase is ‘pork barrel politics’, referring to the time-honoured practice, pre-dating Ancient Rome, of public figures looking after their supporters. These days it usually refers to publicly funded investment including attractive contracts and jobs.

The US military, long aware of this tendency, has sought to feather bed budget decisions by spreading their military bases around as many states as possible. One extreme example is a US naval base 600 miles inland, near Memphis Tennessee.

Unionist politicians know all about pork barrel politics having carved out six of the nine Ulster counties they then openly spent much of the next 100 years steering funds and jobs to ‘their people’.

Reflecting on the RHI initiative it is surely no coincidence that few GAA clubs benefited. The latest revelation from auditor general regarding  subsidies for wind turbines and anaerobic slurry digesters suggests nothing much has changed in the sick counties.

Unsurprisingly after 20 years in power, as the next election looms, SF is desperate for a big statement  with Casement Park. Unfortunately like the notorious Bertie Bowl, the numbers do not stack up.

The original and arguably still grandiose plans produced this mess but now Sinn Féin needs to “be careful what they wish for”.

If Sinn Féin does get the extra money, probably nearer to £50m  by the time it ever opens, there will be a price to pay. We all know both the Sinn Féin/DUP negotiators had their eyes wiped by Bojo last December, so what next?

When a Sinn Féin minister talked about getting the money from the executive, that really meant the taxpayers. Given the post-Covid damage to the Northern Ireland budget what will be the Sinn Féin trade-off – a hospital in Downpatrick, Newry, Fermanagh or Troubles pensions?

One thing is clear, the DUP, if they do agree, will exact a price and it will not be unionist voters who lose out on this one. Another phrase comes to mind, about a rock and a hard place.

FRANK HENNESSEY


Belfast BT9

Workers must be supported financially to work from home

There is no doubt that working from home was increasingly becoming the norm before the pandemic. The necessary lockdown imposed on the population only served to bring a rapid upsurge in the number of workers that began working from and in a more permanent capacity.

Working from home is of course a win-win for most employers. Operating costs drop and various studies have shown that workers are more productive when working at home. The flip side of this is that it has a less positive effect on employees.

Not only do boundaries blur as workers tend to work longer hours when working from home, employees become responsible for their own expenses that were previously covered by their employers.

Providing workers with a laptop is only one step to ensuring workers have what they need to work effectively from home, and it is not the responsibility of the worker to ensure that they have this. Prior to the pandemic most workers did not have a fully equipped home office. The majority of research has shown that most employers did not permit workers to bring home any equipment to enable them to work remotely with most having to purchase the necessary equipment themselves. In addition to these workers are constantly using their own Wi-Fi, electricity and heat with no extra subsidy.

It is surprising and shocking just how quickly the expectation for workers to cover employer expenses became the norm. The reality is that for many workers the extra cost will continue to mount up and become even more of a worry on already strained finances.

A subsidy must be put in place by employers to ensure that all workers have the necessary equipment in place to do their jobs without being out of pocket themselves.

GEMMA WEIR


Workers’ Party, North Belfast

Quest to get a better focus on Tim McCarthy

As a Corkman with a keen interest in history I look forward intently to Éamon Phoenix’s On This Day column every morning.

At the moment it is especially poignant for me as my great uncle was the editor of The Irish News during those formative years when our country was divided. Tim and Joe Devlin involved themselves, heart and soul in the process and often vented their frustrations when they exposed gerrymandering and sharp political practice. However, they always persisted in rising above the vitriol that contaminated many downtrodden citizens especially the Catholic minority after partition.

Even though Tim was in post from 1906 to his death in 1928 I have only a blurred image of the man. I would be grateful if anyone can help me with my quest to get a better focus on the man, journalist, poet, husband – my grand uncle.

Along with his friend and colleague he rests in Milltown Cemetery.

I am privileged to live in the old McCarthy family home  – where Tim first saw the light of day. Any information, links, material on any of the above would be most appreciated. Please email cliffcall@hotmail.com

PAT O’CALLAGHAN


Vicarstown, Co Cork

Together we can save lives

All it takes is seconds to save lives on our roads. I would like each of us to think, am I a danger on the roads today? We all drive too fast, together we can save children, teenagers, and adults lives. We need to be positive driving, don’t drive at high speed for a family to get news. Now, drivers, you have a choice, to drive with care –  slow down, feel good about yourself. It takes a good man/woman/teenager to do this. Let us see the lives together we can save. God Bless those families who have lost loved ones. Together we can do this.

FRANK McGIRR


Coalisland, Co Tyrone

Where’s the proof?

I would like to pose a question to the medical and scientific experts as well as the executive ministers. What proof is there that alcohol sold after 8pm spreads Covid-19 more than alcohol sold before 8pm?

SEAN SEELEY


Craigavon, Co Armagh