Posted by Jim on March 22, 2017
Thousands of people have attended the removal of Martin McGuinness in
advance of his funeral in his native Derry.
Mr McGuinness died during the night at Derry’s Altnagelvin Hospital
with his family by his bedside. He was diagnosed with a rare and
serious illness in December.
Amid snow and sleet, an unexpectedly large crowd followed the coffin of
the former Sinn Fein negotiator and IRA commander as it was carried to
his home at Westland Avenue in the Bogside. There was a respectful
silence as the procession turned past Free Derry Corner where a
tricolour flag flew at half-mast.
Mr McGuinness’s wife Bernie bore his coffin past the Bogside’s landmark
before his two sons, Fiachra and Emmett, shouldered his remains into
his house.
Gerry Adams and the Sinn Fein leader at Stormont, Michelle O’Neill,
draped the flag over his coffin in Derry’s William Street. They also
helped to carry the coffin.
An emotional Sinn Fein President said his long-time friend was a
passionate republican who worked for reconciliation in Ireland. “We are
very, very sad that we lost him overnight,” Mr Adams said.
Tributes have flowed in from across the world for Mr McGuinness.
Earlier on Tuesday, the queen of England sent a private message of
condolence to his family.
Former US president Bill Clinton said Mr McGuinness’s legacy should be
an example for others to live by. “When he decided to fight for peace,
Martin was calm, courageous, and direct. And when he gave his word,
that was as good as gold,” he said.
Books of condolences have opened or are opening in Derry, Cork, Dublin
and Belfast.
His funeral will leave his home on Westland Terrace in the city on
Thursday at 1.20pm on Thursday, with Requiem Mass in St Columba’s
Church Longtower at 2pm. His remains will be interred in The City
Cemetery afterwards.
Posted by Jim on March 17, 2017
By Jude Collins (judecollins.com)
How much of our thinking is wishful? Quite a bit, I suspect. We produce
a model of how we would like things to be and then we gather together
signs and portents that will point to that view.
For example, The Irish Voice, an American-Irish newspaper, had an
editorial yesterday with the heading A United Ireland Now Looks Certain
in the Near Future’. It notes that the various Dublin governments over
the years gave lip-service only to the idea of a united Ireland. “Notice
how Fianna Fail, long the party of platitudes about the North, are
suddenly producing a 12 point plan for Irish unity with no empty
cliches. ”
The editorial notes that for many years voices north and south tended to
be quiet on the subject of a United Ireland:
“For decades there was reason not to speak of a united Ireland in case
such talk spooked the unionists, or so the narrative ran. But that was
then and this is now.”
The editorial writer notes that unionists are under unparalleled
pressure: on the one hand the rising tide of nationalism in the north,
on the other the hardships that will impact everyone in Ireland if
Brexit produces a hard border.
“So, on St. Patrick’s Day in 2017, we stand on the threshold of a new
era in Northern Ireland. We have seen from this latest election that a
unified Ireland has moved from speculation to a demographic
reality…Given the new context and the different political reality in the
Irish Republic, we can say for the first time ever that a united Ireland
is now more likely than not. The figures are there to prove it.”
In today’s Irish News, Alex Kane has a piece entitled ‘Brexit, border
poll and independence referendum mean constitutional tidal wave on its
way.’ His opening paragraph is arresting:
“The next five years or so could be the most exciting – albeit
unpredictable – ones since 1945. Maps will be redrawn. New nations could
emerge. The United Kingdom could disintegrate.”
He says the UK is in chaos, with prime Minister Theresa May devoid of
any kind of plan to cope with Brexit. “So I’m still expecting a second
referendum further down the line, if only to get her off a hook she
never expected to be on.”
Kane believes both Nicola Sturgeon and Sinn Fein are “mischief-making”
in calling for a border referendum both know they won’t get, but it
helps drum up support for their cause. Unlike The Irish Voice, Alex
ducks back from saying what this Celtic restlessness and the impact of
Brexit will have. “Predictions are almost impossible to make because
nobody can know which of the forces will predominate and carry the day.”
But, he concludes, major change is on its way.
In yesterday’s Irish Times, Leo Varadkar, one of those Fine Gael TDs
with his eye on Enda Kenny’s job, declares “Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein
trying to push unification on North”. Leo makes it clear he’s always
been in favour of a united Ireland (who’d a thunk it?): “”In terms of
emotion and feeling, I have always believed that there would be a united
Ireland in my lifetime, and I want to see it.”
But while his heart pines for it, Leo is very worried that there is a
sizeable chunk of the population in the north who don’t want a united
Ireland. “I don’t want to say majority support from both sides – that
may never be possible – but to have reasonable cross-community support.”
Anything else is going to frighten the unionist horses.
The most obvious point coming from Leo’s comments is that he doesn’t
believe in the Good Friday Agreement, which states that a border
referendum should be held when the British Secretary of State believes
there is sufficient support for a constitutional change. (How
nationalists and republicans let as vague a clause as that in, I don’t
know – ach sin sceal eile). If we follow Leo’s advice, we would concede
that there should be constitutional change only when unionists wanted
it, whether they were a majority or a minority. So much for democracy,
then. The threat of unionist violence rules, as it did over a century
ago.
Alex Kane’s thinking is rather more nuanced. He’s right that Nicola
Sturgeon and Sinn Fein are calling for a border referendum for tactical
reasons, but to call that “mischief-making” suggests that the SNP and SF
are naughty school-children. Worse, it seems to suggest that the SNP and
SF shouldn’t do what they can to achieve their political goals. It’s
what politicians do, Alex, and what we pay them to do. As is often the
case with Alex’s columns, they suggest more than they deliver. He tells
us that great constitutional change is on the cards, but backs out of
predicting what that might be. (Mind you, it’s also sensible of him,
because most political predictions are miles off the mark. Do I have to
cite Brexit, Trump, our recent Assembly election – you can make up the
rest.)
Finally, The Irish Voice. When I read editorials like that, it reminds
me how powerful the voices in the media can be.”For decades there was
reason not to speak of a united Ireland in case such talk spooked the
unionists, or so the narrative ran. But that was then and this is now.”
Now there’s a bold statement and one that resonates with a lot more
nationalists and republicans than northern unionists would care to
believe.
Posted by Jim on
There has been an angry response in both Ireland and Scotland after
British Prime Minister Theresa May said she would block referendums on
Irish unity and Scottish independence following the Brexit vote to leave
the European Union.
In last year’s shock referendum on EU membership, both the north of
Ireland and Scotland voted to remain, but England and Wales voted to
leave.
Hours after Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon demanded a new
independence vote on Monday, Sinn Fein said it also wanted a referendum
on Irish reunification “as soon as possible”.
Sinn Fein has been regularly calling for a ‘border poll’ to decide on
whether the Six Counties of Ireland under British rule should reunite
with the rest of Ireland. Support for a united Ireland has increased
dramatically since Britain voted to leave the European Union last June,
and there was a surge in support for Sinn Fein at assembly elections a
week ago. The party has also overtaken Fine Gael in an opinion poll for
the first time to become the second most popular party in the south.
And in a significant u-turn, the most popular party in the 26 Counties,
Fianna Fail has now said it is working on its own plan for a united
Ireland.
“Brexit will be a disaster for the economy, and a disaster for the
people of Ireland. A referendum on Irish unity has to happen as soon a
possible,” Sinn Fein’s leader in the North, Michelle O’Neill, told
reporters in Belfast.
She made no direct connection between Ms Sturgeon’s call to the British
government for permission to hold another referendum in Scotland, just
hours earlier.
She said the prospect of the triggering of Article 50 by Theresa May,
the formal and apparently irreversible act of leaving the EU, increases
the urgency for a referendum on Irish unity.
“The British Tories are on the verge of triggering Article 50 to take
the North out of the EU against the wishes of the people. This will
significantly undermine the Good Friday Agreement and lead to the
imposition of a hard border,” she said.
“They are refusing to listen to the majority of people and parties in
the North, as well as the majority of parties across Ireland, who
support the North securing designated special status within the EU.”
‘STICK IT’
In the European parliament, Sinn Fein’s Martina Anderson also launched a
blistering attack on the British position, as well as that of the EU and
rejected even the existing border arrangement as a solution.
Addressing fellow MEPs in Strasbourg on Monday, Ms Anderson told Theresa
May to “stick it where the sun doesn’t shine” over her Brexit plans. In
remarks which drew predictable condemnation from unionists, she quoted
from the anti-interment song ‘The Men Behind the Wire’.
“And let me put the record straight for everybody here, no border hard
or soft will be accepted by the people of Ireland,” she said. “What
British armoured cars and tanks and guns couldn’t do in Ireland, 27
member states will not be able to do in Ireland.
“So, Theresa (May), your notion of a border, hard or soft, stick it
where the sun doesn’t shine because you’re not putting it in Ireland.”
Earlier, Theresa May told the House of Commons: “It is not right to
have a border poll at this stage. What we should all be focusing on is
bringing the parties together to ensure that we can continue to see the
devolved administration in Northern Ireland working, as it has done, in
the interests of the people of Northern Ireland.
“We want to see that devolved administration being formed and that is
what all the parties should be looking for at the moment.”
She also said she would block any independence referendum for Scotland
until after Brexit has been completed. She said, without irony, that
“there is much that binds us, and I do not want to see anybody doing
constitutional game-playing with the future of the United Kingdom.”
Nicola Sturgeon responded indignantly, insisting the vote should be held
when there is a clear choice to be made. “The Scottish government has a
cast-iron democratic mandate for an independence referendum, and the
vote must take place within a timeframe to allow an informed choice to
be made — when the terms of Brexit are clear but before the UK leaves
the European Union or shortly afterwards,” Ms Sturgeon said.
And amid speculation that new border controls could become a factor on
both islands, the London government’s ‘Brexit secretary’ continued to
make contradictory statements regarding his plans.
David Davis insisted his government is determined to use technology to
ensure an “invisible, frictionless border between north and south”, but
also referred to a need for customs checks along “a very light border”.
He said there was “quite a lot of design work to do”.
Sinn Fein’s John O’Dowd has said the attempts to offer reassurances on
the border were “laughable” and had not allayed any fears.
“He claims there will be a digital border and that his government will
develop the technology to manage it. But given his government’s track
record of trying and failing to develop bespoke computer systems his
comments will not reassure anyone,” he sad.
“And his comments are all the more ridiculous because it won’t be up to
Britain to decide what any EU border will look like. That decision will
be taken by the 27 member states.”
Speaking from the US, Sinn Fein’s Gerry Adams repeated calls for north
to have a special designated status within the EU. “This is the only
logical way to avoid a hard economic border, job losses and business
closures,” he said.
Posted by Jim on March 15, 2017
Speech by the Taoiseach at the Irish Memorial
Philadelphia, Sunday, 12 March, 2017
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The history of Ireland’s diaspora is long and illustrious, marked by great tragedy but also great achievement.
The tragic origins of the mass emigration at the heart of that story are nowhere more vividly portrayed than here at Philadelphia’s powerful Irish memorial.
Sons and daughters of Ireland – with little hope and few possessions – embarked on a perilous journey to these shores in search of a better life.
For many, that journey ended before they arrived here. For the lucky ones, America provided a new hope – a new beginning. The start of something.
More than 170 years since the worst of those times, we feel that connection with our ancestors and what they endured. It is a part of what – and who – we are.
From that time onwards, the Irish became a part of the fabric of society and of the economy here.
Those emigrants and their descendants also became part of a wider global Irish family that held strongly to their identity and continued to play a part in the unfolding of history back in Ireland.
As the size of that diaspora has grown, it has given Ireland a reach and a voice around the world that is the envy of many other nations.
Our diaspora has also helped to inform and broaden our views – keeping Ireland open to the world.
Last year we joined with you as we commemorated the Centenary of the Easter rising. We learned a lot about the role that was played by the Irish diaspora in the events of that time.
We also learned much about the Ireland of today. We shared a deep pride in our country, our history, our culture, our people.
We remembered a time of conflict with our neighbour and we did so in a spirit of respect and reconciliation.
It allowed us to re-affirm those values that we continue to hold dear in Ireland: freedom and democracy, openness, tolerance, community, solidarity and respect for others. These are values which we will actively foster into the future in respect of all our relationships.
They are vital to us as a globalised open economy that is deeply committed to our EU membership and to international trade.
In more recent times, we had thought that the days of emigration out of economic necessity had been left behind us. But the economic crash of 2008 once again deprived our people and particularly our young people of the jobs and opportunities at home that they deserve.
I am glad to say that our economic recovery is now firmly established. The strength of the recovery is perhaps most clearly evident in the labour market. More than 2 million people are now in work – the highest level since 2008.
We are once again creating opportunities for our young people.
This recovery is a testament to the determination, resilience and creativity of the Irish people – both at home and abroad.
In the bleakest of times, we were deeply fortunate to be able to call upon the assistance of our Global Irish Network to help repair Ireland’s international reputation which had been so badly damaged – an essential part of our recovery.
Throughout my career, I have been deeply aware of the importance and the strength of our Global family.
There are so many reasons why it is important for Government to embrace our diaspora – from supporting those who are vulnerable, to creating cultural connections as well as creating opportunities for investment and jobs.
And that is why, back in 2014, I was delighted to create for the first time the position of Minister for Diaspora Affairs. [We are fortunate to have here today the current holder of that office – Minister of State, Joe McHugh].
The importance to us of our Global Irish family was copper-fastened with the publication of Ireland’s Diaspora Policy in 2015.
This Government policy brings together a broad range of initiatives and networks designed to nurture and develop this unique and important relationship.
A key theme that emerged from submissions received during the development of Ireland’s Diaspora Policy was the importance of the issue of voting rights to many Irish citizens abroad.
Many members of the diaspora felt it would allow them to deepen their engagement with Ireland and to play a more active role in Irish society.
This is something with which I absolutely agree.
That is why I am delighted to be announcing today that the Irish Government has decided that Irish citizens resident outside the State, including in Northern Ireland, should be allowed to vote in Irish presidential elections.
This is in line with the recommendations made by our Convention on the Constitution in their fifth report.
This proposal will, of course, require the approval of the Irish people in a referendum to amend the Constitution.
If the referendum is passed, it will also involve significant work to determine new eligibility rules, to draw up legislation and to implement a new electoral register and new voting procedures for all of our citizens.
It is appropriate that this announcement is being made here in Philadelphia, where the Irish have made such a mark over the centuries.
There is no more fitting time or place, as we look forward toour worldwide celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and of all that is Irish.
This Decision by the Government is a clear recognition of the importance that Ireland attaches to her citizens, wherever they may be.
You are part of who we are as a people, what we have done and where we have gone in the world.
We will make that connection ever stronger for the future.
Go raibh Míle maith agaibh.
Thank you.
Posted by Jim on March 13, 2017
In an announcement timed to coincide with the run-up to St Patrick’s
Day, a referendum is to be held on whether to allow Irish citizens
living abroad or in the North of Ireland to vote in Presidential
elections.
The move, if passed, will see the numbers entitled to vote in
Presidential elections increase by hundreds of thousands. Anyone with an
Irish-born parent, or under additional conditions an Irish-born
grandparent, is entitled to Irish citizenship.
However, Irish Presidents play the role of figureheads in Irish society,
with symbolic powers relative to their counterparts in other republics.
There are no plans to extend the right to vote in parliamentary
elections to citizens living outside the 26 Counties.
While a date has not being set for the referendum, Taoiseach Enda Kenny
confirmed the Cabinet has formally decided to hold one.
Speaking in Philadelphia, Mr Kenny said: “Today’s announcement is a
profound recognition of the importance that Ireland attaches to all of
our citizens, wherever they may be.
“It is an opportunity for us to make our country stronger by allowing
all of our citizens resident outside the State, including our emigrants,
to vote in future presidential elections.”
President Michael D Higgins’s seven year term ends next year, with an
election likely in October or November 2018, and it is unclear if he
will run again or be opposed if he chooses to run.
Mr Kenny told an audience at the Irish Famine Memorial in Philadelphia
that changing the voting system will involve significant work to
determine new eligibility rules, to draw up legislation and to implement
a new electoral register and new voting procedures.
“It is appropriate that this announcement is being made here in
Philadelphia, where the Irish have made such a mark over the centuries.
There is no more fitting time or place, as we look forward to our
worldwide celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and of all that is Irish,” he
said.
There is a general consensus that the referendum will pass if put to a
public vote, and government officials are said to be ready to work on
updating the voter registration process.
The London-based campaign group Votes for Irish Citizens Abroad (VICA)
welcomed the announcement.
“In 2013 the Constitutional Convention overwhelmingly recommended that
Irish citizens living outside of the State should be given the right to
vote in presidential elections,” said Mary Hickman, Chair of VICA.
The ‘Home to Vote’ movement during the 2015 marriage equality
referendum also reflected the huge appetite there was for such a
measure, she added.
“The vast majority of democratic countries around the world allow their
citizens living abroad to vote, and there is no reason why Ireland
cannot find a way to make this work.”
Gerry Adams also welcomed the announcement. “Sinn Fein has been pressing
the Irish government since the Good Friday Agreement to allow for
citizens in the North and in the diaspora to have the vote in
Presidential elections,” he said.
“The Taoiseach’s announcement today is very welcome, but the government
needs to quickly clarify what this means in practice and when the
referendum will be held.
“Last November, the Taoiseach, in a reply to me in the Dail, ruled out a
referendum this year or next. This would mean that the vote would not be
available for citizens in the North or the diaspora before 2025.
“Sinn Fein believes that Irish citizens living and working outside of
the state and, in the context of the Good Friday Agreement, those living
in the North should be able to vote in Presidential elections.”