Another day, another report into a united Ireland. This time Senator Mark Daly has published his findings on, ‘Unionist Concerns and fears of a United Ireland.’ The report is based on a recommendation given to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
Daly’s research contains writings and submissions from unionist political figures such as Mike Nesbitt, Kyle Paisley and Trevor Ringland. Dr James Wilson, at the request of Senator Daly, also conducted focus groups with the Independent Orange Order, a Loyalist Flute Band, UDR/Irish Regiment Veterans and the East Belfast Mission. These groups were chosen because they were identified as being part of a section of unionism that is most resistant to a united Ireland.
The report, for the most part, says nothing we haven’t heard before. While the media have focused on participant fears that there would be “land grabs” post unity the research shows, on the contrary, that unionists are mostly concerned with cultural, social and economic issues. They worry that their culture will be eroded in a united Ireland and that British emblems and symbols will be removed. Legacy is a huge concern along with healthcare and the welfare state.
As Marie Coleman explains, fears that unionist culture and identity will be eroded post unity may be grounded in historical precedent. Fears of a”land grab” seem to be keenly felt by unionists in border communities. That fear is irrational, but I think it’s better to allay those concerns rather than mock them.
Given the title of Daly’s report, and the fact that it’s 2019, you’d expect unionist women to feature heavily. This research is coming at the behest of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. There is a clause in the Agreement where the parties commit themselves to human rights and mutual respect. The Women’s Coalition is solely responsible for the inclusion of “the right of women to full and equal participation in politics” in that section.
Incredibly, even though the author contacted, “many stakeholders in the Protestant/unionist/loyalist community, from church leaders and unionist politicians to former loyalist paramilitaries,” the report contains very few submissions or interviews with unionist women. Two women are briefly mentioned as being members of the flute band and that’s about it. Arlene Foster and Sylvia Hermon are quoted but only in relation to past media interviews.
When journalist Amanda Ferguson questioned Senator Daly about the omission, he responded by saying that he did meet with unionist women while compiling his findings. Apparently, the women he contacted didn’t want to make their submissions public.
I find it hard to believe that the Senator couldn’t find a prominent unionist woman willing to go on the record. Even Eileen Paisley has an opinion on it. Daly’s contention that his report is “the beginning of a conversation” isn’t good enough. Women shouldn’t be an afterthought.
The community sector is dominated by women. There are women’s groups operating across Northern Ireland in unionist/loyalist areas. They are the definition of stakeholders and many are the backbone of their communities. Compared to some of the people included in the Senator’s report, these women are best placed to discuss social, political and cultural fears of a united Ireland. Their views matter.
Sadly, the exclusion of unionist women from the discussion around a united Ireland isn’t surprising. Women across Northern Ireland, unionist, nationalist, republican and other, often have to raise their voices to be heard. The Women’s Coalition knew this when they formed to represent women in the peace talks that eventually lead to the Good Friday Agreement. Twenty years after the Agreement, things are getting better but women are still erased from important discussions. As Claire Pierson puts it, “Women continue to be left at the margins of processes to discuss and resolve ongoing contentious and conflict-related issues. Such silencing of gendered experience leaves out integral issues and perspectives on both the future of Northern Ireland and legacies of the past.”
It’s frustrating that identity issues are addressed in the Senator’s research but only along the usual orange and green lines. Unionist women, LGBT and BME unionists have unique concerns that are specific to their lived experiences. Their concerns and fears are just as valid as others.
Senator Daly’s report, despite its many shortcomings, is important. A lot has been said about listening to unionists and addressing their concerns in the event of a united Ireland. Few have taken on the job of doing just that. Perhaps my fellow unionists could, given their legitimate fears and concerns, reflect on history and work towards a more inclusive society in Northern Ireland.
Saturday September 7, 2019 – 6:00 PM till 10:00 PM
Columbus Council #126 ~ 3051 Nostrand Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11229$35.00 PP
Includes; Dinner, Beer, Wine, Soda & Dessert. This is a hot sell out event limited to 125 seats. “NO RSVP’s”, full payment only in advance holds your seat.Race Program Sponsors needed from a Business, Organization or Individual, $100 per sponsored race (we are having 10 races with 10 horses each & you pick the horses names). Also available for sponsorship will be the Inside Front Cover, Inside Back Cover, Outside Back Cover & Individual Ads.We are also accepting raffle table donations, so that new item or gift you received & do not want. Would you please consider donating it to the SCAR benefit Basket Table Raffle?Please make checks payable to Columbus Council #126 & mail to; Columbus Council #126 Attn: SCAR Benefit Chairman Eddie Velinskie 3051 Nostrand Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11229Please contact; Eddie Velinskie 347-210-1249
Boris Johnson asked whether Merkel was in the Stasi and questioned why Leo Varadkar isn’t ‘called Murphy like all the rest of them?’
Business Insider. News Republic. July 19, 2019
• Boris Johnson reportedly asked aides whether Angela Merkel was in the Stasi and questioned why Leo Varadkar isn’t “called Murphy like all the rest of them?” • The comments were made while he was foreign secretary, according to the Financial Times. • Johnson has previously called the French “turds” and compared the EU to the Nazis. • The revelation comes as Johnson prepares to replace Theresa May as prime minister next week. • Johnson has insisted that his first act will be to seek to renegotiate a Brexit deal with EU leaders. • Visit Business Insider’s home page for more stories. Boris Johnson was reportedly heard asking aides whether Angela Merkel was in East Germany’s Stasi police and questioned why the Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar isn’t “called Murphy like all the rest of them?”
The comments were revealed by the Financial Times’ journalist Philip Stephens, who reports that Johnson’s previous comparisons between the European Union and Nazi Germany, destroyed trust between EU leaders and the man likely to become the United Kingdom’s prime minister next week.
Stephens writes that: “At the Foreign Office [Johnson] was heard to muse as to whether Chancellor Angela Merkel had served in East Germany’s Stasi secret police. French president Emmanuel Macron was a ‘jumped-up Napoleon.’
“As for Ireland’s prime minister, Leo Varadkar, ‘Why isn’t he called Murphy like all the rest of them’,” adding that “such jibes find a way back to foreign capitals.”
During the Brexit referendum campaign, Johnson claimed that the EU was trying to create a superstate, as Hitler did.
Johnson was also filmed referring to the French as “turds,” in comments which were removed from a BBC documentary.
The remarks are the latest in a long-line of offensive comments by the former foreign secretary.
In the past Johnson has called black Africans “piccaninnies” with “watermelon smiles,” referred to Papua New Guinea-style orgies of cannibalism and chief-killing, and suggested that former US President Barack Obama had a “part-Kenyan… ancestral dislike of the British Empire.”
The latest revelation come as the overwhelming favourite to replace May as prime minister, prepares to seek a renegotiation of the UK’s Brexit deal with the EU.
Johnson has insisted that the current Withdrawal Agreement is “dead” unless the controversial Northern Ireland “backstop” provision within it is removed completely.
EU negotiators have repeatedly insisted that the backstop, which ensures that no hard border will be put in place between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit, cannot be removed from the deal.
The EU’s insistence is due in part to their commitment to defending Ireland’s interests, with Varadkar insisting that any deal with the EU must include the backstop, in order to preserve the status quo on the island of Ireland.
A spokesperson for Johnson was contacted for comment.
Pre-emptive Brexit defeat
Johnson suffered a significant defeat on Thursday for his plans to take the UK out of the EU on October 31.
17 Conservative MPs voted against the government, with 30 more abstaining, on a vote which was designed to prevent Johnson from suspending parliament in the run-up to the UK’s scheduled exit date in order to force through no-deal.
One government minister, Margot James, resigned with several more, including the Chancellor Philip Hammond abstaining on the vote.
The ministers avoided the sack, due to May’s government only having days left to run.
In a statement, May’s spokesman said that “The Prime Minister is obviously disappointed that a number of Ministers failed to vote in this afternoon’s division.
They added: “No doubt her successor will take this into account when forming their government.”
On Friday, August 2, 2019 at 1030 hours, E-254, E-276, L-153, L-156, B-33 and B-42 will host a Memorial Mass commemorating the 41st Anniversary of the Waldbaum’s Fire. The mass will take place at St. Brendan’s Church located at 1202 Avenue O, Brooklyn, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
PLAQUE DEDICATION
On Monday, August 26, 2019, at 1100 hours, a WTC Plaque Dedication Ceremony will be held honoring the memory of Firefighter Jimmy Martinez, Engine 157. The dedication will take place in the quarters of Engine 157 & Ladder 80, 1573 Castleton Avenue, Staten Island, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
FDNY RUNNING CLUB COORDINATION FOR 2019 NYC MARATHON Members interested in running the NYC Marathon who are not receiving email updates from the FDNY Running Club should contact Denis Sweeney, D-6, at denis.p.sweeney@gmail.com by August 9th for details.
STEUBEN ASSOCIATION BOAT RIDE
On Sunday, August 18, 2019, the Annual Steuben Association Boat Ride will be on the Art Cabana Yacht leaving from the Skyport Marina at E. 23rd Street and FDR Drive, Manhattan. Boarding begins at 5:30 PM (Rain or Shine); the cruise is from 6-10 PM. The cost of the cruise is $25 in advance and covers cost of the DJ, dancing, and complimentary appetizers.
For ticket information, visit www.fdnysteuben.org.
