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Friday, August 28, 2026

A Letter from Ireland

Posted by Jim on December 24, 2022

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By the time this arrives in your inbox it will be Christmas Eve eve. The appointment of former Congressman Joe Kennedy III as Presidential Special Envoy to the North of Ireland was a welcome early Christmas present. I wish him well in his new role.The Special Envoy will have his work cut out for him in dealing with a British Government that acts unilaterally and refuses to honor its agreements. But we always travel in hope, and no, I am not drunk on Christmas spirit. The British Government will always act in its own self-interest. That is simply what it does. Agreements and laws can be set aside by a nation that operates without a formal constitution. Brexit would allow the British to set the terms of trade with all other nations. The policy is now exposed as an act of economic self-harm by the self-deluded. Their economy and trade are tanking and the outworking of Brexit has undermined relations with Brussels and Washington. The same government believed that it is in its self-interest to continue to cover up the actions of its military and prevent all victims from gaining access to truth and justice. A unilateral action that has the potential to set back reconciliation, and break international agreements and laws. Those opposed to their approach include victims, all political parties, the Irish Government, US Congress, the EU, and the UN. The British government is again internationally isolated facing legal actions from victims and the Irish government. I would love a Christmas miracle, but I do not believe that a British Government will do the right thing. I do expect them to act in their own interest. That is where the international community and support of the US is crucial, to point out that it is in the British Government’s interest to resolve these issues, respect international law and end their unilateral approach. I would hope that would be the message of any special envoy. So, my hope is not dependent on the British Government, but on the actions of our friends in the EU, US, and Canada. I would like to thank our friends throughout the US and Canada who have welcomed Sinn Féin visitors and have offered valued support and guidance.I hope that you get a break over Christmas, watch a movie, eat too much and spend time with family and friends. Stay safe and remember those less fortunate. Nollaig shona daoibhsa. Is mise,Ciarán

Ciarán Quinn is the Sinn Féin Representative to North America

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