It is now probable that the current hiatus at Stormont will end in the autumn with the re-entry of the DUP into earth’s orbit – complete with a generous financial package. This could be viewed as a bribe given to the recalcitrant party to try to induce better behaviour. However, it comes with the caveat that it must be used to reform the institutions and make them more economical, efficient and effective. It is unlikely that the folks on the hill will achieve this objective.
The NHS is in crisis – partly due to the assembly’s parish-pump politics which have resulted in difficult decisions being deferred or avoided. The Bengoa report was designed to counter this procrastination and vacillation by ascertaining the optimum configuration of health and social care services. All of the parties signed up for this 10-year plan.
Unfortunately, this strategy has seemingly collapsed at the first hurdle. This failure is illustrated by the following example. A Bengoa-type proposal was made for the centralisation of urgent care services in the Ulster Hospital and closure of two smaller units in north Down. It was supported by Alliance. However, the four other main parties chose to reject the closures. This abdication of responsibility comes at a time when the people need leadership and politicians up for the tough decisions. Education is also grossly mismanaged by Stormont. A recent report by Ulster University into the additional cost incurred to preserve the system of segregated education calculated that it was approximately £225m per year, which was primarily due to the duplication of resources. This expenditure would be unnecessary under an integrated education system which would have the additional benefit of helping to break down religious barriers.
Furthermore, Northern Ireland is training too many teachers for the employment market. It is forecast that there will be an oversupply of both teachers and educational academics over the next decade of 140 per year. No attempt has been made to reduce the superfluous output or misappropriation of scarce resources. This is due to the determination of the two sectarian blocks to maintain the tacit religious division within the teacher training institutions despite the need for more scientists, engineers, doctors etc – from the STEM subjects – not more teachers
Alliance is the only keen advocate of integrated education among the five main parties and the only party willing to challenge the status quo pertaining to the ludicrous teacher training regime. Alliance is the solitary adult party who are willing to tell the electorate what they need to hear instead of what they want to hear.
GEORGE WORKMAN
Donabate, Co Dublin
Unionist double standards
The level of dishonesty and hypocrisy by Boris Johnson, in what is claimed to be an accountable democracy, was quite staggering. It appears to have been motivated by a supreme sense of narcissism and invincibility. There is not one shred of guilt or remorse from him for the restrictions imposed on the civilian population who were unable to visit their dying relatives or attend their funerals while at the same time the government elite partied and danced. This detachment from the suffering of the people they claimed to represent is only matched by the actions of the DUP which had the opportunity to hold Boris Johnson to account but declined to do so. Using the feeble excuse to abstain that they regarded the matter as an internal Tory party matter, the party then went on to ignorantly compare partygate actions with the attendance of Sinn Féin members at Bobby Storey’s funeral when no sanctions were applied to them. The rather obvious distinction, which I am sure unionist voters will instantly recognise, is that the sanctions imposed on Boris Johnson were imposed not because he broke lockdown rules but because he repeatedly lied about it. Given the constitutional precept of parliamentary sovereignty that could only be regarded as a cardinal sin, whereas it goes without saying that Sinn Féin MPs do not take their seats in the House of Commons.
The same hypocrisy is again emulated by the DUP when some its prominent spokespersons condemned John Finucane for attending an IRA commemoration but were completely silent when Jamie Bryson attended a commemoration in east Belfast for a UVF member. Not only do the DUP meet with Jamie Bryson but they have had regular contacts with members of proscribed loyalist organisations.
It is clear that there can be no meeting of minds between republicanism/nationalism and loyalism/unionism. They are diametrically opposed. It’s time to move on towards a united Ireland where the influence of unionism/loyalism will be greatly diminished, as it should have been long ago. That might also herald a new political dispensation where the double standards of politicians are held to account.
SEAN O’FIACH
Belfast BT11
Ireland should stay neutral
I fully support the sentiments of President Higgins on Irish neutrality. The government over recent years has been preparing the public, bit by bit, to approve the shift from neutrality to ‘European Defence’ which in the end can mean only one thing, joining Nato.
The government’s statements regarding the spending needed to expand the country’s armed forces remind me of the innocuous announcements of the reorganisation of the authorities which at that time controlled Irish water, all the time denying that privatisation was the end game. Only the determined opposition of the Irish people prevented that disaster.
Ireland has no enemies and no need whatsoever to join Nato. Would the people of Ireland be proud to have taken part in the destruction of Libya and Yugoslavia and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq? Neutrality is a decent, humane posture, and we should be trying to spread it rather than sliding into membership of armed groups like Nato.
EUGENE F PARTE
Belfast BT9
Nothing to fear from Irish language
Dominic Gallagher in his objection to Irish language signs in the Olympia leisure centre – ‘Everyone should object to Irish signs at Olympia’ (June 22) – doesn’t really make very good points against the move. Firstly, he states the Olympia is in a Protestant area (as he calls it). It is not. It is in a mixed area of our city on Boucher Road that is an area of shops, cafes and restaurants used by many citizens from across the city. Secondly, he uses the excuse of a statue of George Best outside the centre. George Best in the past spoke in favour of Irish unity and for an all-Ireland football team. Mr Gallagher needs to realise that the Olympia is a sports centre that is open to everyone and therefore that space should and must be a welcoming space for everyone. I would most certainly welcome Irish language signs in every leisure centre. What does anyone have to fear from a language that is spoken by thousands of our citizens across our city, both Catholic Protestant.
SEÁN ÓG GARLAND
Beál Feírste BT10
