May 3 2021 the centenary of the State of Northern Ireland. In recent weeks we’ve heard lots of debate and disagreement around the pros and cons of marking the occasion and we’ve heard the usual constitutional bashing.
For me, whatever of the perspectives that are had concerning the political border which confirms two states on this island the commonality is our people, and those to connected to this place that we all like to call home.
I am proud of the achievements of our people, across a wide array of disciplines. For me though we don’t celebrate or honour success sufficiently in the place.
I believe the centenary of Northern Ireland offers a unique opportunity to charter a way forward which unified our people in common acknowledgment of our roots as Ulster men, women and children.
Is it beyond us to deliver a project which would have the potential of bringing our people together as well as positively selling Northern Ireland to the wider world?
I propose that work be commissioned to examine the potential for a regional sports museum to be built (potentially at lands within the Titanic Quarter) where there exists the necessary infrastructure to build such a facility and connect it to local visitors but also for those arriving internationally.
Northern Ireland and its people have punched well above our weight over the years in terms of sporting success. Whether that be road racing, horse racing and show jumping, golf, athletics, boxing, snooker, rugby, individual footballers we’ve produced, the talent within Gaelic football and hurling etc.
We are also home to other rich sports such as handball, road bowls, rounders and we have a proud history of success and development opportunities for those competing in disability-based sports and events.
In Joey Dunlop, George Best and Alex Higgins we have arguably the most naturally gifted in their respective sports.
But there are so many other iconic individuals and teams who have excelled over the last century, bringing joy and positivity to this place, our people and also helping position Northern Ireland’s place in the world, securing the respect and admiration of others along the way.
Such a museum could play host to preserving magical moments like the 1985 Snooker final black ball finish, Mary Peters heroics on the track, Joey Dunlop and Jonathan Rea on the back of motorcycles, our golfers winning majors, Ulster Rugby heroics, AP McCoy, champion jockey, the many special Ulster county and club performances which saw successes at all-Ireland level.
So, my question is: do our leaders genuinely want to celebrate success and the achievements of the incredible people who make up this place?
If so, then a golden opportunity to do something about it exists.
KENNY DONALDSON
Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone
Failure to deliver a robust Bill of Rights remains unacceptable
A Bill of Rights is an outstanding commitment from the Good Friday Agreement (GFA). Twenty-two years on, this failure to deliver remains unacceptable.
The protection it would afford is needed more than ever, given this Conservative government’s appalling attitude to human rights and Cabinet members who still long to erode and undermine existing guarantees.
The SDLP has long advocated for, and strongly supports, a robust Bill of Rights, one that includes protections for socio-economic rights. The Agreement mandated a Bill of Rights that would, among other things, reflect the ‘particular circumstances of Northern Ireland’. It is too often forgotten that disregard for socio-economic rights was at the heart of the conflict.
A Bill of Rights would have a direct impact on the policy decisions that affect everyone in Northern Ireland, from health to education to housing. By placing duties on executive ministers and other public authorities, a Bill of Rights would sharpen the focus at the beginning of the decision process and offer redress where things go wrong. A Bill of Rights could prove transformative for the north-west and other areas that are routinely neglected when policies and legislation are designed. In short – it would help to guarantee the rights of everyone in the north and provide remedies where those rights are breached, whatever the current or future constitutional status or political arrangements in place.
The Ad-Hoc Committee on a Bill of Rights, established by New Decade, New Approach, is running a consultation until January 29. Respondents can make written submissions or fill in a simple survey online. A Bill of Rights – or the lack of one – affects everyone across Northern Ireland, so responses from the public will be enormously helpful in making real progress.
MARK H DURKAN MLA
SDLP, Foyle
DUP has some explaining to do
Now that England, Scotland and Wales have left the EU, the north of Ireland will still remain a member intrinsically linked, albeit behind the border in the Irish Sea. The DUP ought to explain to unionist folk how they achieved this separation of Northern Ireland from the UK and refrain from their attempts to ‘pass the buck’ as was witnessed by Nigel Dodds, whose contribution in a late night debate in the Lords was to blame nationalists for wanting a ‘no deal’. The minister for the economy and former MEP Diane Dodds MLA launched an acerbic attack bemoaning the loss of the annual funding of £100m from the EU – the EU has contributed £2.6bn to the north over 46 years. If one recalls that in January 2020, in the chamber of the EU parliament, as members signed off on the UK/EU withdrawal bill and stood hand in hand singing Auld Lang Syne, Mrs Dodds refused to participate in the festivities and remained seated, the hand of friendship declined. In a further act of sheer effrontery Mrs Dodds advised businesses to make their own preparations for the onslaught of bureaucracy and with a mere £11m envisaged by the DUP. Now minister Dodds has resorted to ask her former pal ‘Boris’ for more.
KEVIN McCANN
Belfast BT1
Freedom of thought
I found footage of people dancing in the streets in Argentina sadly reminiscent of the scenes in Ireland over the legalisation of abortion in the Republic.
I am not sure what motivates such exuberance?
Frederich neitzche famously announced God’s death by man’s hand but asked how were we to wash the blood from those same hands?
Remove the notion of God and any form of future judgment from the collective physique and you are then free to do what ever you want in the present and presumably dance about it?
It strikes me as indicative of a generation that has been taught what to think but not how to think – therefore no God no judgment.
I left school at 16 but some where along the line I seem to have picked up some sort of notion of critical thinking.
While I was on the opposite side of the debate from the pro-choice lobby I can’t believe that many of these folk will be any happier about people dancing in the streets over such a solemn subject as abortion, than I am – whether it be in Belfast or Buenos Aires.
BRIAN GIBSON
Comber, Co Down
