Posted by Jim on July 30, 2013
Ciaran Staunton says government is more concerned with diplomacy than seeking change for the Irish in America
By IrishCentral Staff Writers,
Ciaran Staunton, the president of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR), has said the inaction of the Irish government’s Department of Foreign Affairs, with relation to US immigration reform, has left his group feeling “isolated”.
Speaking to Cork’s Irish Examiner, Staunton said the Irish Government is old-fashioned in its approach. He also told them the government is more concerned with diplomacy than with making a real change for the Irish undocumented in the United States.
He said, “When it comes to the politics of Washington most people are using the iPhone. But the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy are still using the rotary dial-up.
“The policies have never changed. What happens when you have the permanent government situation, the script is the same.
“We can only advise them. We’re Irish-American and they’re a foreign government but ultimately they can open doors.”
Despite the lack of support from across the pond Staunton continued to push the message from Irish-America (that they want immigration reform for the undocumented Irish) throughout the United States.
Staunton also spoke about Senator Edward Kennedy’s Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 which made it more difficult for the Irish to obtain a working visa in the United States. As Kennedy himself pointed out the Act was discriminatory.
The ILIR head said the Irish government has never addressed the fact that the Irish are being discriminated by their current lack of visa options.
He said, “Official Ireland has been very reluctant — I don’t think they’ve ever addressed the 1965 Act. The department [Foreign Affairs] have been the weak link. There’s a mentality of ‘let’s not talk about it, let’s not ask’. One of the things in Washington is that you always have to be looking, you always have to be pushing.”
The Irish Government has defended its role. They have funded the immigration reform lobby $430,366 (€324,637) since 2006.
During Eamon Gilmore, Ireland’s Deputy leader’s, visit to Washington DC he said the Irish Government has been addressing this issue since 2006
Posted by Jim on July 28, 2013
An IRA memorial in County Fermanagh was spray-painted in the latest in a series of sectarian attacks in the north of Ireland. The number of sectarian incidents in the North saw a substantial increase during the Protestant marching season, reaching a climax after the Orange Order’s ‘Twelfth’ (of July) marches in honour of the Protestant victory at the Battle of the Boyne over a Catholic army. The IRA memorial commemorates two IRA men, Sean South and Fergal O’Hanlon, who were killed on an attack on Brookeborough barracks in 1957. The memorial was spray-painted red, white and blue in the shape of a Union Jack, as well as red paint sprayed over two adjoining statues. The large stone memorial, at Altawark crossroads, has been targeted a number of times in the past by vandals. Local Sinn Fein councillor Brian McCaffrey urged more unionists to condemn the attack saying they need to “step-up” and defuse rising tensions. CONDEMNATION URGED Dubbing it a “pointless attack”, Councillor McCaffrey said the loyalists responsible offered nothing for the community. “The time has come for local unionist politicians to step up to the plate. They must loudly and openly condemn and disassociate themselves from this type of action,” he said. “This is a pointless attack which will only serve to further raise tensions. “It also has the side effect of exposing the bankruptcy of hard-line loyalism. It is clear that this is all they have to offer the community. “If they fail to do so their lurking in the shadows will be seen as tacit approval. “The fact is that these vandals are not coming from 100 mile away, they come from within the community. “I would appeal for people not to retaliate but I can’t guarantee that they won’t do so. “None of this serves a purpose, it has a danger of cranking tensions especially around the marching season. “I have lost count as to how many times that monument has been attacked, it’s well into the double figures.” Local republicans are said to be considering an investment in CCTV cameras to prevent further attacks from happening. The cost of repairing previous attacks has reached thousands of pounds, they said. In response, one local unionist councillor Paul Robinson later told a local newspaper that the attacks “shouldn’t happen”. The DUP man said he believes “it’s all coming from the flag issue [protests over flags at Belfast city hall] but that shouldn’t come into it. These attacks don’t help the situation nor does it gain anything.” HALLS ATTACKED Meanwhile, Senior Sinn Fein members today [Friday] met with the Apprentice Boys in Derry after paint appeared on their memorial hall in the city this week. “We are all absolutely disgusted at this attack,” Sinn Fein’s Raymond McCartney said. “We’ve all seen in recent weeks and recent months the great steps taken in this city and the memorial hall and the Apprentice Boys have all been part of that story.” The paint appeared ahead of the Apprentice Boys’ main sectarian parade of the year, the ‘Relief of Derry’, commemorating a 17th century Protestant battle victory over the forces of the Catholic King James. It was said to be the third attack on the hall in recent weeks. Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who this week condemned the Orange Order for continuing to attempt to hold banned parades in nationalist north Belfast, differentiated the two orders. He said the Apprentice Boys “play a positive role in the life of Derry”. And in an unusual post to his Twitter internet page, he said the recent “shameful attacks” on the Apprentice Boys’ memorial hall should be condemned. Halls owned by the Orange Order have also been afflicted by paint attacks recently, with green and yellow paint appearing on the walls of one hall in the overwhelmingly nationalist town of Bellaghy, County Derry last Saturday morning. Ulster Unionist representative Sandra Overend described that incident as “a disgusting attack on the Orange culture”. She said it was the second paint attack on Bellaghy Orange hall in less than a week. “I have spoken to members of the Orange in Bellaghy and they have again insisted that they will rise above such provocation and not let it deter them from their beliefs. I commend them.” In other incidents, a video showing a man scaling a flagpole and removing a British Union Jack flag outside a west Belfast Orange hall is being investigated by the PSNI who described the incident as ‘theft’. The PSNI also removed an Irish flag from the grounds of a disused PSNI police base in Dungiven, County Derry this week, without explanation.
Posted by Jim on July 22, 2013
Pundits agree that the House will be a tougher fight than the Senate
By
BREANDÁN G. MAGEE ,
IrishCentral Contributing Writer
The Tánaiste and Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore arrived in Washington D.C. on Thursday July 11th, the day after House Republicans emerged from a closed-door meeting to determine their response to the passage of S744, the comprehensive immigration reform bill that passed the Senate two weeks ago.
The bill passed by a comfortable 68 to 32 majority after the addition of the Hoeven-Corker amendment, which among other things increases spending and enforcement on the border, a move seen as crucial in securing the 14 Republican votes garnered by the bill. The focus now lies squarely on the House of Representatives where members are still scrambling to respond to the Senate proposal.
Unlike the Senate the House is controlled by Republicans who command a 224 member majority in the 435 member chamber and any would-be bill must not only secure 218 votes to pass but must also jump over a Republican internal hurdle known as the Hastert Rule. While not constitutionally mandated the Republican Party abides by its own rule that dictates that no bill will even be brought to the floor for a vote if ‘a majority of the majority’ does not support it. In other words Speaker Boehner will kill any bill if it does not have the support of the Republicans as a whole. In this context all eyes are on Republicans as they grapple among their own rank and file with how to respond to the Senate’s sweeping immigration bill.
As yet there has been no clear or demonstrable strategy outlined by Republicans, except to say that they firmly reject the proposal that has come out of the Senate and that they plan to produce their own bill or bills. Nothing operates in a vacuum and immigration reform is being played out in the context of Republican internal politics. Despite a strong coalition of Bibles, Badges and Business (churches, law enforcement and chambers of commerce) calling for immigration reform some Republicans are arguing that it is just not an issue for constituents in their home districts and as such they do not see the need to rush to a vote
Even this has its context when one examines the gerrymandered electoral boundaries of the 435 Congressional Districts. Of those 435 seats only 28 are seen as a toss-up between Republicans and Democrats; in other words lines have been drawn so well on the map that most Republicans are in safe districts and worry more about a right wing contender from their own party in a primary run off than they do a Democratic opponent at a general election. Those in the Tea Party right wing of the Republican Party are loathe to any mention of immigration reform, which they see as amnesty for people who broke the law by coming here illegally.
However the party leadership knows only too well that their national aspirations and chances of retaking the White House depend on passing immigration reform and appealing more to the growing Hispanic electorate. ‘Elections have consequences’ is an oft heard phrase since the November presidential election, which swept President Obama to a second term on the backs of a growing Latino electorate. Latinos jumped from 5 to 11% of the voting public and fell 70 to 30 in favor of Obama. Republicans were widely viewed as being anti-immigrant in that election with their calls for the self-deportation o f the 11 million undocumented.
Given the nature of the electoral college system that elects a new president and understanding that most elections are decided by key swing states (where Latinos are a growing voting block) and not the popular national vote, you can see why Republicans are concerned. The big question then is whether the Party responds to local politics or plays a bigger game.
Amid this cliffhanger the Tánasite travelled to Washington to meet with leaders in the Republican Party notably Congressman Paul Ryan, Peter King, Bob Goodlatte (Chairman of the Judiciary Committee), Kevin McCarthy, and Senator John McCain. He also met with Speaker Boehner’s Chief of Staff. He was in town to stress the importance of immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship for the undocumented and the Irish E3 Visa.
He took time to meet Billy Lawless Chairman of the Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform as well as Dan Dennehy from the AOH, Celine Kennelly from the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform and Republican strategist Manus Cooney.
Another stop was made to long time friend to the Irish and lion of the Senate Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) who spearheaded the Irish E3 along with Senator Schumer (D-NY). It is safe to say that much work needs to be done to educate the House Republicans that this is not just a Latino issue but signs are there that they are ready to move on legislation.
As those meetings took place in DC the leadership of the Republican Party in Illinois met in Chicago with Congressman Gutierrez (D-IL), a long time proponent of immigration reform and author of his own immigration House bill, yet to be released. Minority Leader Tom Cross (R) Senator Christine Radogno (R) and potential gubernatorial candidate Representative Kirk Dillard listened as Cyril Regan of Chicago Irish Immigrant Support argued that immigration reform affects many different communities including the Irish. Dillard, himself from a district that is home to many Polish immigrants, acknowledged the need to educate Republicans on the issue and posited that Republican ‘yes’ votes in the House were ‘gettable’.
Pundits agree that the House will be a tougher fight than the Senate to secure a bill and Republicans may insist on passing several piecemeal pieces of legislation that deal with border security and the undocumented rather than a sweeping comprehensive bill but momentum is certainly on the side of pro reform advocates. Unlike the last attempt to pass the Kennedy Mc Cain immigration bill of 2006, immigration reform boasts a much broader coalition of supporters and critically it has the support of most of the Republican leadership with their eye on the White House in 2016. The upcoming Congressional mid terms in 2014 will also have a role to play in rushing this through the legislative process by the Fall, as no one on either side of the aisle wants such a divisive and politically hot potato to mar the elections.
The Irish will have their part to play in how this pans out come September after the Congress returns from its month long August summer recess. Irish groups are already mobilizing across the country in their home districts to educate Republicans on the issue and bring to light the fact that 50,000 Irish undocumented workers are affected. Time will tell if that gift of the gab for which we are famous can get the message across.
*Breandán G. Magee is the Executive Director Chicago Irish Immigrant Support
Posted by Jim on July 20, 2013
Violence in Northern Ireland damaging investment, tourism and economy
By Irish Central staff writers
Recent images of violent confrontations linked to Orange Order parades have prompted the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers, to warn they are damaging all attempts to attract jobs and investment there.
Villiers made her remarks after the Orange Order was again denied permission to walk along a predominantly nationalist stretch of the Crumlin Road in north Belfast, the scene of recent rioting.
According to the BBC, Orangemen are expected to parade right to the police lines on Saturday, which many fear could lead to a repetition of the violence that erupted on July 12.
Conscious of the dangers Villiers has appealed for calm.
‘I understand that many people strongly disagree with recent Parades Commission determinations,’ she said. ‘But however they feel, there can be no justification for lawless behavior.
‘People who break the law should be in no doubt that there will be arrests and prosecutions. And those who are convicted risk prison. It also has a serious impact on the reputation of Northern Ireland as we try and compete in the global race for investment and jobs.’
Eager to appeal to calmer heads, Villiers appealed to the Orange Order leadership.
‘The violent protests must stop. I once again call on all those with influence, including the Orange Order, community leaders and politicians, to help defuse tensions and ensure this weekend is peaceful.’
But few believe her appeal will be heard. There were five nights of intense rioting following the original decision to prevent three lodges from walking along the predominantly nationalist stretch of the Crumlin Road in north Belfast that separates loyalist and nationalist communities on 12 July. Many expect a new confrontation to erupt tonight.
For the nationalist community the site and sounds of the parade offer an annual provocation, since they loudly celebrate historic nationalist losses and the massive security operations that accompany them effectively keep them confined within their own streets and homes for hours until the parades pass.
Rather than accept any compromise the Orange Order have instead proposed a new march on Saturday along the same predominantly nationalist route.
The Orders decision to march came after the Parades Commission, the independent body that adjudicates on contentious parades in the North, ruled on Thursday that the proposed parade would not be allowed.
The Commission added it was disappointed that no unionist politicians or Orange Order leaders made any representations to it.
Critics claim that the failure of unionist politicians and Orange Order leaders to engage with the commission robs of its legitimacy in loyalist circles, which means it effectively removes any need to negociate with nationalists on any march route anywhere in the North.
On Friday afternoon, the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast issued a leaflet on behalf of the three lodges that faced the ban on July 12 that lead to violence.
Rather than step back from the brink, the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast states that the march is about showing ‘we have not and will not go away,’ and it calls on supporters to stop at the Woodvale Road at the line of Orange marshalls.
‘After a period the National Anthem will be played and we will all disperse,’ the leaflet says.
It is not believed by many that the marchers and their supporters will go away however. On July 12 Orange Order marchers, some brandishing ceremonial swords, attacked the police officers that were preventing them from marching. The confrontations which also included hooded loyalist rioters were captured by international media crews and broadcast worldwide.
‘No matter what the provocation, violence is not the answer. Any violence will play into the hands of republicans,’ wrote the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast, who are nonetheless promoting the standoff.
The leaflet adds that the organizers’ campaign will continue over coming months, certain to add to the cross community tensions after the traditional marching season ends.
Meanwhile a PSNI officer whose head was engulfed in flames after being hit with a petrol bomb in Belfast told the Belfast Telegraph he feared his whole body was on fire.
The 50-year-old sergeant was holding the line against loyalist rioters at the flashpoint area in the north of the city when he was struck by the bottle.
‘All I could see was a sheet of flames in front of me so, I couldn’t really determine how much of me was alight,’ he said.
‘I couldn’t feel the fire at first but the longer the flames were there I could feel myself burn. I was quite confident that the flames would be put out – it was just a case of making sure that we starved the flames of oxygen to put it out.’
Police have been hit with bricks, bottles, heavy masonry and over 100 petrol bombs during five consecutive nights of disorder along the contested stretch of road in Ardoyne which separates loyalist and nationalist communities.
There have been over 60 reported arrests of people aged between 12 and 52 years old.
Posted by admin on
Former US peace envoy Richard Haass has returned to the north of Ireland to constitute a new discussion group on parades and flags from the main parties at the Stormont Assembly.
Dr Haass will meet political leaders and the Orange Order to agree the work plan and terms of reference for the talks, which are scheduled to begin in September.
Haass will be assisted in his role by former US government adviser Dr Megan O’Sullivan and international researcher Charles Landow.
He stressed the role of dialogue and healthy debate in resolving outstanding contentious issues.
“This has got to be done politically and within the parameters of legitimate political discourse,” he said.
“Disagreements are fine, disagreements are to be expected, but again disagreements are to be dealt with verbally and done within a legitimate and accepted political process.”
Dr Haass acknowledged his task was challenging but said he was optimistic.
“We have got an ambitious mandate… we will do everything possible and I am confident that we can meet that mandate.”
He also welcomed a statement by the Orange Order that it would “willingly and actively participate” with his all-party group.
The US diplomat described the statement as “very good news indeed”.
Dr Haass stressed the primacy of “legitimate political discourse”.
During his brief visit, the peace envoy said his group aims to deliver a report before the end of the year.
Peter Robinson, leader of the DUP, the largest unionist party in the North, claimed Dr Haass’s group could provide an “alternative” to the Parades Commission.
During a visit to the Short Strand this week, Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness said he was “disappointed” with the approach of unionists to the riots, accusing the DUP of jumping “into bed with the Orange Order”.
“For me that’s the most disappointing aspect of all of this. It appeared to me that in terms of representing unionism the Orange Order was in the driving seat and not the politicians and on that issue I think they made a huge mistake,” he said.
He also criticised Orange Order Chaplain Mervyn Gibson.
“If the pro-British unionist tradition in the north of Ireland is being led by the Rev Mervyn Gibson God help all of us,” he said. “I mean that very, very sincerely indeed.”
Last Friday, Orange leaders called for the abolition of the Parades Commission, which currently adjudicates on sectarian parades. They expressly linked the violence to the Belfast City Council Union flag dispute, which saw months of loyalist disturbances over a decision by the council to reduce the flying of the British flag over the building.
“I believe the flag protesters did this generation a great service by waking us from our slumber,” said Rev Gibson last week.
“Apathy, pessimism and defeatism were walking us into a united Ireland.
“Rather than waking up to fight each other, we need to concentrate yet again on defeating republicanism, this time in the certain cultural war.
“Let this generation not be found wanting. Do not fight the war on yesterday’s battle-field. Fight the war on today’s battleground as we unite to get rid of the Parades Commission.”
At another Twelfth event, ‘Grand Master’ of Belfast George Chittick expressed contempt for the nationalist residents’ groups aligned with Sinn Fein who continue to oppose sectarian parades.
“Sinn Fein-inspired community groups are feeding off our carcass, our culture, just like vultures,” he said. “We have to get rid of the Parades Commission.
“Are you willing to take the step on behalf of your Protestant heritage?” he asked. “That’s the question you have to answer. My answer is: No surrender.”