Posted by Jim on June 10, 2022
 A Letter from IrelandBoris the Builder, a Chara, Two things have weighed heavy on my mind this week. I’m planning some renovation work at the same time the British Government is threatening to break international law on Brexit and deepen the political crisis in the North.On the house front, I am drawing up plans for work that needs to be done and negotiating with a contractor. I hope to sign a contract shortly.This got me thinking about what Boris Johnson and his British Government are up to on Brexit and the Irish Protocol. Basically, their negotiations were done, the plan agreed upon, and the price set. The work is essential to avoid a hard border across Ireland.Boris Johnson is way behind in the work. The EU has been patient and is open to amending the plan due to unforeseen circumstances.The British are now demanding that the price be altered, and the plan scrapped. Threatening that all the work will not be done, the work they are refusing to do will leave structural damage. Boris says he is open to dialogue, but if the EU doesn’t agree to his demands, he will do as he pleases. The EU has the contract in their back pocket knowing this could end up in court.That is what is at play this week. The British Government agreed to the Protocol and immediately fell behind in its implementation. They are now set on introducing legislation that they believe will give them the power to unilaterally change the agreement at any time. This is of course highly illegal and a breach of international law.This dispute is not without a cost. Business that has adjusted to the Protocol will now face years of uncertainty at a time of economic crisis. The actions of the British Government undermine our agreements, the rule of law, and the primacy of politics.In a further turn of events, Boris Johnson faced a vote of confidence this week from his own party MP’s. The result was that 41% of his own party colleagues voted ‘no confidence’ in his leadership. I am now in the rare position of agreeing with 2 in 5 Tory MP’s. I am on the lookout for a reputable contractor, and I will not be calling Boris the Builder any time soon.Have a great weekend. Is mise,CiaránCiarán Quinn is the Sinn Féin Representative to North America Confronting Sectarianism – Inclusion and Reconciliation In A New Ireland By Gerry AdamsThe posting online of a vile video showing members of the Orange Order mocking the murder of Michaela McAreavey has been widely condemned. Last week in another video Pastor Barrie Halliday appeared on social media describing Catholics as ‘rats that need to be murdered with rifles and grenades.’Both of these actions are evidence of an existing underlying sectarianism within northern society that has its roots in English colonialism and in the deliberate fostering by the British state in Ireland of division between Catholics and Protestants. The Loyal Orders have long played a prominent role in promulgating this. That sectarianism still exists is not surprising. Unionist political leaders and their British allies often play the Orange Card as they seek to maximise their electoral vote or secure an advantage in a negotiation.Since partition there are few Catholic families in the North that have not had direct experience of sectarianism, of discrimination in employment or housing, of collusion involving unionist death squads, the B Specials, the UDR, RUC and British Army or of pogroms. Orange marches with their ‘kick the Pope bands’ and sectarian songs – like The Famine Song; their posters of nationalist politicians or of religious statues on bonfires and their desire to parade triumphantly through or past nationalist areas have long been part of the nationalist experience.The dignity and grace of Michaela‘s family is an example to us all…CONTINUE READING.This article first appeared in the most recent edition of Unity News.Read the full Inclusion & Reconciliation In A New Ireland report here. Human Rights Commission Condemns British Government ProposalsThe British Government has introduced legislation that will continue their policy of coverup for crimes committed by their agents and their military during the conflict in Ireland.This unilateral action by the government of Boris Johnson is opposed by victim groups, all political parties, and the Irish Government. The proposals run contrary to the unanimous position of Congress and undermine the Good Friday AgreementGiving evidence today in Westminster, Alyson Kilpatrick, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commissioner, condemned the British Government’s latest proposals as undermining the rule of law and breaching Human Rights.Summing up the proposals the Chief Commissioner said, “Police will be prevented from investigating, the courts will be prevented from the ruling, prosecutions will be prevented … that is a very substantial interference with the rule of law and with everything the UK has signed up to,”She added, “We have gone through this Bill in real detail, piece by piece and also as a whole to see whether there is anything redeeming in it that could be made compatible or could save this Bill from being found to be incompatible.“It’s clearly in breach of the Human Rights Act.”Winning At All Costs: Los Angeles vs San Francisco Last week in response to our newsletter we got this great story and photos sent to us by Maura Mahon. It was too good not to share. Thank you Maura Mahon. “I hope Ciarán enjoys his time at “the high altar of the GAA” this weekend. I am reminded of a story a friend of my father’s, Will Gartland, told at a memorial for Dad (John Mahon). In the 1950s Will attended a game of Irish Football between the Los Angeles GAA and the San Francisco GAA which was played during the half time of a Ram’s (L.A. Professional US Football team at the time) game at the L.A. Coliseum. Evidently, the San Francisco team arrived one man short and Dad who played for L.A., asked Will if he could step in and fill the void. Will had never played the game but he hesitantly agreed and asked why couldn’t he could play for Los Angeles with players he knew and one of the L.A. team members play for San Francisco. Dad said, “Because we want to win”. Will was given a uniform of sorts and shoes two sizes too big. I forget the position Will attempted to play, but the L.A. team was victorious that day. |