I see Tony over at The State We're In sent Slugger O'Toole readers a challenge to come up with a 'Northern Irish' citizenship test.

Leaving aside my own feelings that NI is not a real country and that thus any attempt to come up with a test would fail as miserably as the ill-fated idea of an official NI flag, it's clear that there is only one person qualified enough to handle something like this - me!

After all, I did come up with the United Irelander Irishness test.

With that being said, I hereby give to you all...the NI citizenship test!

Can you make the grade?

You're probably wondering why I've included a picture of the very luscious Elisha Cuthbert for this post. Well, it's a post concerning a deadline set by the two governments to restore the North's assembly so I didn't want any of you to fall asleep.

According to Dublin and London, November 24th is the new final deadline. Hmm.

Assembly members are to be called to Stormont on 15 May for a six-week period to try to form an executive.

An emergency bill is also expected to be put through Westminster to change some of the Stormont rules. (Change them in what way?)

BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport said the assembly would break for summer before being recalled in September for 12 weeks until the end of November.

He also said the political parties have been told the British and Irish governments are considering holding more talks at a stately home during the summer recess to deal with the DUP outstanding problems.

Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern outlined the strategy:

"We have made it quite clear as far as we are concerned that the Good Friday Agreement will be implemented in full.

"Ultimately we wish the politicians in Northern Ireland to be the authors of their own destiny."

The nationalist parties have expressed concern however. Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness stated his party is "more than willing to go into government with Ian Paisley and his party but we are not going into limbo with him," while SDLP leader Mark Durkan said his party wanted "all the institutions restored with full powers and the parties put into a live situation, not shadow boxing in a shadow assembly."

What I found most interesting, not to mention telling, were the comments made by Alliance leader David Ford who said it was important that the two governments stayed engaged and did not leave it to NI's politicians:

"The key issue is that the two governments build on issues like a shared future and stop just managing division."

It shows how farcical politics in the North have become when one of the party leaders up there is stressing how disastrous things would be if the parties were left to themselves.

Ultimately however, if they won't work together then there can be only one other fair alternative - Joint Authority. The two governments should work together and implement the outstanding features of the Good Friday Agreement if Paisley won't play ball.

We must see progress made and soon. If the DUP still won't budge by November then I imagine not even nude photos of the lovely Elsiha Cuthbert would revive their interest in NI. That would mean then only one other realistic option for the people of NI - rule from Dublin and London.

Yes you read the title correctly. Apparently a leprechaun has been spotted in a tree in Alabama.

A US news station has documented the story. Watch the clip below and see for yourselves. What I particularly liked was the amateur sketch of the leprechaun. Someone clearly got a real good look at him!

Michael McDowell recently got into a bit of bother for comparing Fine Gael TD Richard Bruton (pictured above-left without the Swastika) to nasty Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels (pictured right).

But in all fairness...they do kind of look alike don't they?

Bruton and Goebbels - Separated at Birth? You decide.

Fact: "Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour."

I'm guessing taxpayers in NI are in great physical condition then...

I've been pondering alot about the future of this blog of mine lately and whether there's any real point in continuing it much further. This doesn't stem from any disillusionment with my own opinions and I can assure you it's nothing to do with "stress" either, rather it's a disillusionment with blogging in general.

I've never been a big blogging enthusiast it's fair to say. What I mean by that is, I'm not one of those people who views it as being the future replacement of journalism. 'The next wave' etc and all those other worn out, tired cliches. I originally started this blog because I had immersed myself in the 'blogosphere' and I felt that the Irish blogosphere needed more Irish nationalist voices. I would say my views are alot more moderate than those of other republicans so I felt the blog had a purpose - to offer an alternative nationalist view. Now almost 16 months after its inception, I find myself wondering what is the purpose of this blog?

The Irish blogosphere recently lost a very good nationalist blog - Res Publica - when its owner Deaglan declared that its job had been done. Not many people understood what he meant but I think I understand. The purpose of his site was similar to my own - put out another view, express an opinion, challenge mindsets. He did that and so he put the blog to rest a year after he created it. I can respect that.

Another thing that has played on my mind of late are comments left by Dubliner, Observer and Paul from the N.Irish Magyar which were pretty illuminating for me. Dubliner had this to say:

"UI, as my cynical eye sees it, Northern Blogging is the Ultimate Waste of Time: (a) You can’t persuade people to change their sense of national identity, and (b) You can’t persuade people to change political outlooks that are, in actuality, purely a function of that sense of national identity. These aspects are formed by deep-rooted emotion, and not by rational argument. Ergo, rational argument is a futile tool to apply to the purpose of changing locked minds; and since there is no other tool to apply, the entire process is the Ultimate Waste of Time. In fact, most aspects of NI local politics are also filtered through that mental lockout mechanism, so the inevitable result is a continuation of the ‘normal abnormality’: stagnation, intransigence, and lockout/lockdown. They’re all royally fucked and there isn’t a damn thing you can do to change that."

I find it hard to argue with any of that. So if I'm in agreement with him, am I wasting my time by continuing this site? Observer made a similar point:

"Most Irish people, with enough interest to comment on blog sites, are pretty well stuck with particular mindsets and really want to engage in intellectual fencing rather than open debate (myself included). You can't afford to take it too personally, or expect to bring people to their senses (especially when most of them were never there in the first place)."

Paul likewise touched on this area:

"The vast majority of NI political bloggers are not interested in debate but solely in putting their pov across- and it's not even that important if they feel that other people are reading it or not. As long as they feel they've readdressed some perceived imbalance or injustice then they're happy. If I'm honest that was also my main motivation in replying to comments from the likes of people like "billy" etc here and elsewhere. Completely pointless and ultimately an utter waste of time."

All good points. So I have to ask myself - am I wasting my time with this site? A lone voice crying out in the wind? It seems alot of people that I come across have their hands on their ears so to speak. As Dubliner put it, their minds are locked. Blogging doesn't seem an appropriate medium to reach out to those people whose minds are open, who are willing to see both sides to every story. I just checked my first post on United Irelander and it was pretty brief:

"Welcome to my blog which I hope will provide interesting debate. I will do my best to keep things interesting and thoughtful. Enjoy!"

I'd like to think I've done well in that respect. If I did end this blog I'd be proud of what I've accomplished here. My passion for politics remains strong but my passion for blogging has waned big time. I remember having a discussion with Pete Baker of Slugger O'Toole one time where I used an analogy that being a blogger was alot like being a pamphleteer. You distribute your piece and while some people take it on board, most just tear it up and throw it in the garbage. There's only so much that lone pamphleteer can do.

And yet, when I think about ending this blog I'm filled with a sense of sadness. It's something that I've worked hard on which is doing better than it ever has...so why end it now?

I wish this post could end with some conclusive message but alas it will not. If it came across somewhat muddled it's because that's how I'm feeling right now towards blogging. I've had aspirations in the past to write for a newspaper but it's not something I've seriously pursued. I don't think putting this site down on a CV would help my cause. Writing professionally is probably beyond me but that doesn't leave many alternatives. In the past I used to take the view that if I can engage and challenge just one person while blogging then the blog will be doing its job. Now I'm not so sure that that one person can be found in the blogosphere.

I have big plans for April here on United Irelander. I hope to have the Easter Rising feature heavily. Whether that will be one last hurrah for this site however remains to be seen.

A man can only be a lone voice for so long. Soon his voice will become hoarse and his heart will become weary. I don't want that to happen to me. But how can I reach out to people whose hands are clasped firmly around their ears?

Hello and welcome to the third edition of United Irelander's Words on Wednesday feature, unique to the Irish blogosphere, which sees me interview various figures from all walks of Irish political life.

Taking my questions this week is Green Party TD and Spokesperson for Justice Ciarán Cuffe.

I'd like to thank Mr Cuffe for kindly agreeing to be interviewed. With that being said, let's begin:

What initially attracted you to political life?

My parents were involved with various campaigns around childcare, Travellers' rights and education back in the 1960's. That politicised me as I was growing up. I remember marching to save the Viking settlement at Wood Quay and hearing Mary Robinson speak back in the 1970's. Later on when studying architecture in UCD in the 1980's a group of us campaigned under the "Stop the Destruction of Dublin" banner to try and stop Dublin Corporation from demolishing Georgian buildings and inner-city communities for road-building. All of that made running for political office seem quite a natural progression.

You are the Green Party's Spokesperson on Justice. How do you rate the current Justice Minister, Michael McDowell?

He's a sharp, intelligent and shrewd individual. I respect his clarity and conviction. He is idealistic, which is a rare attribute on the Government benches. Ultimately his Achilles heel is his arrogance and his occasional outbursts against the Green Party do him no favours.

If you could change three things about Irish society, what would you change and why?

1. I'd ensure that the profits from rezoning land accrued to the State. This could make a significant contribution to curbing the corrupt payments to local councillors that have persisted over the years.

2. I'd vastly increase the powers of local government. This would give towns and counties the ability to harness the creativity and enthusiasm that exists at community level.

3. I'd pump-prime recycling industries. It makes no sense for us all to diligently recycle unless we're also supporting the design, innovation and production of products made from recycled material.

What are your thoughts on a United Ireland?

Its a good thing, and about twenty years away. Apart from the societal differences, one of the real challenges is working out who will pick up the tab for the amount of subsidy currently paid for the UK.

What should be done to improve the situation in NI?

Greater support for integrated schooling would help bring both communities in more contact with each other. Building a viable economy is crucial, and that will have to involve strong support from Brussels. Perhaps the restoration of the Assembly would be easier if we signalled a step towards real regional governance in the South. More investment in cultural regeneration would also be of benefit.

What are your thoughts on the European Union?

I'm enormously supportive of the benefits that the Union has brought to Ireland. The real challenge is to further European cooperation and development without the smaller countries losing their voices. We've also got to prevent a move to increase defence budgets and limit worker protection. I've always felt that a two-tier European Parliament with an upper house composed of two representatives from each country, and a lower house elected proportional to the population would be a good way of ensuring that the smaller countries aren't excluded from the top table. Such a system would be analogous to the US Federal system of Congress and Senate.

What are your thoughts on the Easter Rising and how do you intend to mark the occasion?

It was a strongly symbolic event that should be celebrated and commemorated. However I'd hate to think that those who lost their lives in the Rising should be remembered without also paying tribute to the tens of thousands of Irish who died in the Great War. I'm annoyed at Bertie's vote-grabbing idea of a military parade; I think it's a cynical gesture. Instead why not celebrate the children of Ireland that the Proclamation promised to cherish equally?

What will another term of Fianna Fáil in power mean for Ireland?

More corruption, and more tribunals in ten years time. The gap between rich and poor will increase and there will be more repeats of the Dublin Riots. Bad planning will lead to more commuting and more kids being left into crèches at the crack of dawn. More helicopters at the Galway races, more muddling through, a shift to the right, and more stealth taxes. More soundbites and less substance. Oops, am I going on a bit?

There was anger recently at the perceived backtracking of the Taoiseach in regard to MPs from NI speaking in the Oireachtas. What are your thoughts on that issue? A good or bad idea?

I'd like to see it happen, but I'm not losing sleep over it. It would be useful to kick-start a discussion as to what views Northern politicians have on the practicalities of greater north-south cooperation. It would also make us southern politicians engage more with the North, as we often fall into the trap of delegating the North onto the back-burner.

What are your thoughts on the current conflict in Iraq right now and Ireland's position?

The civilian losses are horrifying, and bear comparison with depravities ofSaddam's regime. The invading forces should withdraw and support a UN-mandated force even though such a force would have an almost impossible task. The thought also occurred to me that if the US downscaled its defence presence in the region by a third, that would probably save enough money to wipe out malnutrition in Africa.

Where should Ireland be twenty years from now?

If we invest more in education and in tackling the needs of those left behind by the Boom we could still be a role model for the rest of the EU. If we can promote green and clean industries and organic farming we'll be at the forefront of Europe. I'd also like to think that Ireland could lead the debate about reforming the UN to face the challenges of the new century. We contributed to that debate back in the 1950's, and should do so again.

There aren't many Irish politicians in the Irish blogosphere. Why do you blog, and do you see more TDs taking it up? (Mr Cuffe's blog can be found here)

It gets me away from the fairly narrow confines of press releases, policy documents and parliamentary contributions. I also suspect it reaches out to a group of people who maybe aren't sure about voting and who might decide to vote as a result of what myself and others are saying in the blogosphere. I also get a techie kick out of taking pix with my phone and uploading them from my laptop. I'd say more politicians will take it up, but it doesn't work if you simply publish your Oireachtas contributions to Blogger as a cut and paste job. I'd say quite a few will repeat the mistake of their lifeless web-sites that are only active at election time.

What would you say to any Irish people reading now who aren't sure who to vote for in the next General Election?

Yikes. I'd say educate yourself as to what TDs can and cannot do when in office; do the math on the particular shade of Government that you desire; and vote accordingly.

Finally, I'd like to play a small round of word association. I'm sure you know what it entails. Basically just outline what word comes into your head when you hear the following names:

Bertie Ahern - Muddler
Tony Blair - Cheshire
George W. Bush - Criminal
Trevor Sargent - Straight
Ian Paisley - Yesterday
Gerry Adams - Balancing
Mary McAleese - Pillar
Padraig Pearse - Stone
Roy Keane - Pope
Ciarán Cuffe - Vote

Next week I hope to have a Sinn Féin MLA take my questions, though I can't comfirm any names at this point...

The following piece is from a press release that I was more than happy to publish. I support Aileen Quinton 100 per cent.

HANSON TO HEAR VICTIMS’ OUTRAGE ON OTR BILL

On Wednesday morning Security Minister David Hanson will meet Aileen Quinton, whose mother Alberta was murdered in the Poppy Day Massacre in Enniskillen. MPs Iris Robinson, Mark Durkan and Lembit Opik will also attend.

Ms Quinton said: "I will be seeking an explanation from Mr Hanson about the callousness and indifference to victims welfare that the Government has demonstrated during its entire mismanagement of the proposed legislation for On-the-Runs and I will be emphasising that the damage caused by this continues even though the bill has been withdrawn."

"It is hard for the voice of victims to be heard at any time, but in the run-up to the NI (Offences) Bill they were actively ignored and even suppressed apart from cheap words about how difficult this would be for us. There was no attempt to assess the impact on victims, never mind measures to assist or help them cope. But there was unquestionably an impact, and it continues. There was no meaningful consultation on an Equality Impact Assessment screening, which apparently concluded that the only people impacted were the perpetrators."

"People who had suffered trauma were re-traumatised all over again as it became clear that the government was putting the interests of perpetrators ahead of the interests of victims. I have been told of cases where emergency (private) psychiatric appointments have had to be arranged to as a result of the impact of this new trauma. Many victims who were witnesses to the events that brought the terror to their door, were distraught to learn that they might be called into court while admitted perpetrators of the most horrible crimes could sit at home and wait for their licence in the post."

"The government said it was obliged to bring in the bill because of a deal it had done with Sinn Fein. They never offered a deal to the widowed and orphaned, to the limbless and mutilated and those whose mental health has been compromised. They said it was unfinished business which was essential to the peace process, but what sort of peace is it that puts truth, justice and the welfare of victims lower in the pecking order than the perpetrators. The emotional trauma in NI due to the terrorism has never been properly grasped, not just for the bereaved and injured but also for witnesses, often children and those enduring prolonged intimidation. The social consequences of this, perhaps for generations cannot be overemphasised. The implications for those with hidden disabilities is also not being properly addressed. My previous campaigning against the legislation focused on the truth and justice issue. However even if this legislation was in anyway justified or necessary, which I totally reject, to bring it in without having any real consideration of the impact, and putting in measures to mitigate the most serious consequences, (apart from that on the Government), does not just indicate a deficit of humanity but also of sound business management."

"Even when the bill was withdrawn, it was explicitly done at the behest of perpetrators and those who represent their interests. There was no change of heart, no admission that this was a bad or immoral plan. So it hasn’t gone away. The fundamental government principle of putting perpetrators ahead of victims continues, and will reappear unless there is a change of heart and change of approach."

"Our Government has added insult to our injuries many times and my surprise each time is a testament to the triumph of hope over experience. Hearing the Secretary of State and others offer ritual expressions of sympathy to victims as they tried to push their bill through was to witness cynical manipulation in the extreme."

"I don’t want sympathy. I don’t want a shoulder to cry on or a pat on the head. I want truth and justice primarily and also I want victims to come before perpetrators and I am clearly not alone in that. That is the message I hope Mr Hanson will take back to the Secretary of State and the rest of the Government."

Ms Quinton said she had asked the MPs to attend as a non partisan group, who will be in a position to hold the Government to account on across-the-board victims issues in the future.

ENDS

I was disappointed but not at all surprised to hear the British Irish Football Association confirm that NI players are requested to have a British passport when playing abroad.

I am pleased however to hear that Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern has raised the matter with European fooball authorities.

Mr Ahern quite rightly said players should be allowed to use a British or an Irish passport. However, the chief executive of the IFA, Howard Wells, said having British papers made life simpler for NI teams playing away from home:

"There is not a problem about players travelling on either passport.

"The issue has been that historically, on the administration of some matches that we have had at international level, there has been confusion in the minds of some Uefa officials about the fact... that some of our players have different passports to each other.

"It is because people don't understand the differences, or the uniqueness of Northern Ireland, in terms of our passport issue."

What a bunch of baloney this is! Here's a whacky suggestion Mr Wells - if they don't understand the differences...EXPLAIN IT TO THEM.

Mr Ahern meanwhile stated:

"We have written to Uefa asking them to clarify the position, but also pointing out to them the whole issue that was laid down in the Good Friday Agreement.

"People born after a certain time on the entire island of Ireland can have British or Irish passports - or indeed both.

"There are some people who wish to produce their Irish passport in this respect."

Indeed they do, Mr Ahern. Shame on the IFA for once again politicising football. They are a shambles.




Football for all, eh?


I have many times called on northern nationalist supporters and players alike to boycott the NI football team and I maintain that position without a doubt in light of this pathetic requirement to have a British passport.

The IFA don't give a rat's ass about the Irish identity in NI and the organisation could have done so much more to tackle the rampant bigotry that infests football north of the border. Yet they do not.

The IFA are a disgrace to football and a disgrace to cross-community relations. Shame on them.

First and foremost I want to say thank you to those of you who left me kind comments and to those of you who emailed me over the last few days. In relation to my brief time away, I would say that I feel certain people read a little too much into my decision to take some time off from blogging. For example, I was quite surprised and amused to hear my hiatus attributed to, quote, "stress". I can assure you all that I have never felt under stress in all the time I have blogged and that if silly arguments that didn't lead anywhere stressed me out, I would have ended this blog months ago! It was a bit disappointing to see people take these kind of pot-shots at me but that is their right I suppose.

To reiterate, the reason I took some time off was because I had some personal things in my life that needed my undivided attention. They have largely been dealt with now.

The break from the blog was beneficial for me in the sense that it gave me time to reflect on how I have handled the site. I would say that I am satisfied with the content that I have produced but I do feel there were times when I allowed myself to be goaded into arguments that weren't really worth my while pursuing. I like to think of myself as the kind of guy who is honest and sincere and who defends his position doggedly and earnestly. However, I feel there were times when I became too involved in emotive arguments and times when I should have just shown a bit of humility rather than let myself become hot-tempered.

This site has grown alot in recent months and now has alot of regular commentators but I feel that the line between the blog - United Irelander - and the blogger who writes it - United Irelander - is becoming ever blurrier. It's almost as if certain people are more interested in tackling me than the actual posts I've written and that they try and argue with me personally rather than what is actually presented in front of them. I have always felt a blogger should communicate with his/her audience so I don't feel the answer is to simply refuse to engage with people, but I do think at certain points a bit of humility on my part would have gone a long way and times when I should have just bitten my lip.

I won't apologise though for the forceful way I put forth my views nor for the passionate way I often protect them but I will say that as not only the writer of this site but also the owner, moderator and indeed editor, there were times when I should have shown more thoughtfulness. I should be setting an example being the guy who runs the place rather than engaging in petty, futile bickering. I'll try to do better in future.

I need to remember that the pot-shots certain people take at me are a sign that United Irelander is challenging mindsets and that I should look on it as a source of pride rather than allow it to bother me. I will endeavour to turn the other cheek from now on when faced with those who seek to get personal with me.

If you think this means that the content of United Irelander will mellow down too however,think again. There might not be as much pettiness and silliness but you better believe there will be difficult issues faced. In case you haven't realised, the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising is looming and it's my aim to have this site as the number one Irish nationalist blog when that time draws near. I have some exciting ideas for when things get into full swing so that United Irelander will be the number one blog to visit.

United Irelander rises soon. Emotive issues will be confronted, viewpoints will be tackled, positions will be challenged and the gauntlet will be thrown down.

It's gonna be a bumpy ride, folks. Are you sure you're up for it?

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" - John Lennon

I've been pretty consistent with my blogging for a long time now it's fair to say, however, I have also been making other plans and with that being the case I'm going to take some time away from blogging for a while. I've put alot of energy into this place over the last few weeks and months and I think I've earned myself a break.

Not sure when I'll be back but I hope you all keep well.

All the best.

Welcome to this week's edition of Words on Wednesday which sees me interview various figures from all walks of Irish political life.

Coming under scrutiny this week is the SDLP's MLA for North Antrim Seán Farren.

I'd like to thank Mr Farren for taking the time to answer my questions. With that being said, let's begin:

What initially attracted you to political life?

I was always interested in politics. In my father’s family his father and an uncle had been labour activists in Dublin in the early decades of the 20th century. Both served as Dublin city councillors and his uncle Tom also served as a Labour Party senator until 1936. Coming North to take a lecturing post at the university in Coleraine I met people active in establishing the SDLP and was invited to join which I did in 1973.

You are an SDLP MLA for North Antrim. Talk us through a typical day in your life.

No day is typical but most consist of either party meetings, meetings with various groups and organisations, from time to time with British and Irish ministers, with other parties, with constituency groups, dealing with constituents’ problems etc. The absence of the Assembly takes a whole area of work out of current Assembly members’ workload and casts an air of frustration over what we do to the point where I almost resent being asked what do I do!

You were born in Dublin and moved to the North in 1970. Have you found yourself treated differently due to the fact you are a Dubliner?

I can honestly say not that I aware of. First of all I got my university post in an open and fair competition and there was never any barrier placed in my way to deter me from being involved in politics. The fact that I have been elected for the North Antrim constituency in assembly type elections on several occasions shows that constituents don’t hold my southern origins against me. Only once was public and negative comment ever made about my origins and that from, almost unbelievably, an Alliance Party representative.

If you could change three things about Irish society, north or south, what would you change and why?

There is one thing above all others that I would want to change, indeed want to eliminate. It is sectarianism. Sectarian attitudes are very deepset and these exist South as well as North and act as a poison in our relationships. Politicians have a serious obligation to work towards their elimination. These attitudes are not the preserve of any one social class, one religious denomination or one political party but are to found throughout our society. Since sectarianism is another version of racism it shares all the characteristics of that disease.

Secondly there must be a concerted campaign to eliminate social disadvantage that affects many in our society and is no respecter of party or religion.

Third, and following the second, is to see a more integrated economy develop on the island which harnesses the human potential of both parts of the island to mutual advantage.

What are your thoughts on a United Ireland?

The Good Friday Agreement has given us the best template upon which to create the conditions that will lead to a united Ireland. Unity cannot be forced by violence and will not happen because of demographic change. It has to be worked for by democratically persuading a sufficient number of people to support it. It is not therefore inevitable since if it was all we would have to do is to wait for it to happen.

What should be done to improve the situation in NI?

Restore our political institutions and let the healing effects of working together in those democratic institutions in the best interests of all, give more hope of a better future in which there is real respect for our different traditions, for human rights and for the rule of law.

What are your thoughts on the European Union?

I am in favour of more democratically accountable integration and viewed the recent proposals for a new constitution as broadly the best compromise possible at the present time for achieving that. I also favour the widening of membership.

What are your thoughts on the Easter Rising and how do you intend to mark the occasion?

From a youth when I was immersed in admiration for the leaders of the Rising and became familiar with much of their writings I have moved to a more ambivalent attitude. We have to acknowledge that the Rising took place without any sense of what its consequences would be for achieving both an independent and united country. From my reading of Pearse and Connolly in particular there is no evidence that they had any real understanding of Northern unionist attitudes or of how unionists might react to a rising. In effect they ignored the consequences of the Rising for relationships with Unionists. So, in my view, while the 1916 Rising played a seminal role in determining the direction of Irish nationalist politics over the following five years, as far as the North was concerned it helped cement the partition of Ireland already virtually agreed in the 1914 Home Rule Act. It was not, then, until 1998 when the Good Friday Agreement was endorsed in referenda North and South that the whole of Ireland was eventually able to reach agreement on how both major traditions on the island could work together in shared political institutions. I believe therefore that the next decade leading to the centenary of the Rising should be dedicated not simply to commemorating 1916 but to the unfinished tasks of national reconciliation and of how to ensure that Ireland is inclusive in a comfortable and respectful way of all its people, our recent arrivals as well as our natives.

Can Sinn Féin and the DUP work together effectively?

Of course they can provided they can satisfy each other that the basic conditions for doing so are being met. Sinn Féin has to stop prevaricating over involvement in and support for the new policing arrangements and the DUP has got to show that it embraces the need for partnership within the North and between North and South. However, current attitudes as revealed in how these two parties address each other do not give much ground for hope that early progress will be made.

Do you think people north of the border should be able to vote in Irish presidential elections?

In principle I support this suggestion provided that practical and non-divisive ways can be found of implementing it.

What are your thoughts on the current conflict in Iraq right now and Ireland's position?

I have always been opposed to the war and was in the US when it broke out and gave several tv and radio interviews to that effect. I feared the kind of regional conflict that now all but exists. Ireland should be to the fore in making this view known to what are referred to as ‘friendly’ governments in London and Washington.

Where should Ireland be twenty years from now?

I hope we have the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement operating in a very healthy way and both parts of country are working ever more closely together in the mutual interests of all of the people of the island. Where that may take us constitutionally will be for leaders and people then to decide.

How do you think the British government feels about NI?

The British government has a responsibility for Northern Ireland which I believe it will not simply or easily abandon. It will not oppose constitutional change in favour of Irish unity if that is the wish of a majority and I think we should accept that position and work within the scope it provides. The fact that successive British governments since 1985 when the Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed have held this position shows that it is unlikely to alter in the immediate future.

You yourself are a fluent Irish speaker and keen on promoting the Irish language. What do you think should be done to improve the state of the national language and do you personally think Irish should be a required subject for Leaving Cert students?

As someone who acquired Irish in a very natural way through attendance at an all-Irish school I do not believe that coercion works. The fact that hundreds of leaving certificate students find ways of not taking Irish and others effectively abandon the language, take it in name but not in fact, must have a demoralising effect on those who do and on their teachers and must create a cynical and unhealthy attitude towards Irish generally. The success of Gaelscoileanna both North and South shows what can be achieved by those with a love and real interest in the language. A close and honest examination of the facts about Irish at leaving certificate level is required and then bold and challenging choices offered.

What would you say to someone reading now who isn't sure who to vote for in the next general election?

I opt out of this question since as a member of a party that seeks to work with all parties in the South I will not publicly take sides whatever about my own preferences were I living in the South.

Finally, I'd like to play a small round of word association. I'm sure you know what it entails. Basically just outline what word comes into your head when you hear the following names:

Bertie Ahern -
Tony Blair -
George W. Bush -
Mary McAleese -
Ian Paisley -
Gerry Adams -
Mark Durkan -
Padraig Pearse -
John Hume -
Sean Farren -

I pass on this as well because one word cannot capture what comes into my mind when I think of these people and that includes myself.

Next week, Green Party TD and Spokesperson for Justice Ciarán Cuffe takes my questions.

I commented on Monday that I intended to introduce a new feature to United Irelander to highlight the contribution that the province of Ulster makes and has made towards Irishness in an effort to tackle Irish apathy towards the region. With that being said, and considering Irish mythology is a great interest of mine and something I've blogged about many times on UI, I felt Cuchulainn's story would be an appropriate first choice for United Irelander's new Understanding Ulster feature.

Therefore, outlined below, with pictures for your pleasure, I present to you all (courtesy of Arthur Cotteril's book Celtic Mythology) the story of the great Ulster and Irish champion:

The story of Cuchulainn

Cuchulainn, in Irish mythology, was the champion warrior of Ulster. His name means the "Hound of Culann", although he was usually called the Hound of Ulster. Cuchulainn was the Irish Achilles, a larger-than-life fighter whose bouts of temper often caused grief to himself and others. Cuchulainn's mother was Dechtire, the daughter of the druid Cathbad, an advisor to the King Conchobar Mac Nessa. It was Cathbad who foretold that Cuchulainn would become a great warrior but die young.

Shortly after her marriage to Sualtam Mac Roth, who was the brother of the deposed Ulster ruler Fergus Mac Roth, Dechtire along with fifty of her kinswomen flew to the otherworld in the form of a flock of birds. During the wedding feast she had swallowed a fly and dreamed as a result of the sun god Lugh, who told her to make this journey. Cathbad reassured his son-in-law by saying that Dechtire had merely gone to visit her otherworld relations, for her mother was the daughter of the god Aonghus. In fact, Lugh kept Dechtire there for his own pleasure for three years.

When Dechtire and her women returned to Emain Macha, the stronghold of the Ulster kings, in the form of brightly coloured birds, Dechtire was expecting Lugh's son, Setanta. Sualtam Mac Roth was so pleased to have his wife home again that when the boy was born he accepted him as his own child.

As a youth, Setanta quickly learned the ways of the warrior, but it was not obvious to everyone just how strong and brave he was until he killed an enormous hound with his bare hands. One day, arriving late at the gate of a house where King Conchobar Mac Nessa was being entertained by the Ulster smith Culann, the young hero was attacked by the ferocious guard dog and only saved himself by dashing out its brains on one of the gate's pillars.


Their host had now lost a faithful guardian, so Setanta offered to take the hound's place while a replacement was found. When Culann thanked the young warrior but declined his offer, it was decided that henceforth Setanta would be known as Cuchulainn ("the hound of Culann").


Exploits in battle

Even though the druid Cathbad, Cuchulainn's grandfather, warned that anyone going to battle for the first time on a certain day was destined for a short life, Cuchulainn could not wait to deal with Ulster's enemies and he soon took up arms against three semi-divine warriors named Foill, Fannell and Tuachell, as well as their numerous followers, all of whom he killed.

In this combat Cuchulainn displayed for the first time the dreadful shape of his battle-frenzy. His body trembled violently; his heels and calves appeared in front; one eye receded into his head, the other stood out huge and red on his cheek; a man's head could fit into his jaw; his hair bristled like hawthorn, with a drop of blood at the end of each single hair; and from the top of his head arose a thick column of dark blood like the mast of a ship.


Returning to Emain Macha in his chariot, "graced with the bleeding heads of his enemies", and with the battle-frenzy still upon him, Cuchulainn was only stopped from circling the defences and screaming for a fight through a ploy of the Ulster queen Mughain. She led out of Emain Macha some hundred and fifty naked women carrying vats of cold water. An embarassed or amazed Cuchulainn was swiftly womanhandled into the vats. The first one burst its sides. The second boiled furiously, but the last vat became only very hot. Thus was the young hero tamed after his first taste of blood.

Cuchulainn and Emer

In his calm, everyday state of mind Cuchulainn was a favourite of womenfolk. But he fell in love with Emer, the daughter of Fogall, a wily chieftain whose castle was close to Dublin. Cuchulainn asked for Emer's hand but Fogall, who was against the match, pointed out that Cuchulainn had yet to establish his reputation as a warrior and suggested that he should go and learn from the Scottish champion Domhnall. Domhnall told Cuchulainn that his best trainer in arms would be Scathach, a warrior-princess in the Land of Shadows. So he travelled to this mysterious land and served Scathach. She taught the hero his famous battle leap.

For a year and a day Cuchulainn was taught by Scathach, and became the lover of her daughter Uathach. Scathach seems to have feared for the safety of Cuchulainn, and she warned him without success not to challenge her sister Aoifa. But Cuchulainn beat Aoifa by cunning, and afterwards she became his mistress, conceiving the unfortunate Conlai.


Cuchulainn finally returned to Fogall's stronghold and claimed Emer, but only after a heated battle with Fogall and his warriors, during which Fogall leapt to his death escaping the hero.

Cuchulainn and Ferdia

Acclaimed as the champion of Ireland in a beheading contest, Cuchulainn was soon unbeatable in combat, a skill he was to need dearly in his last campaign, which was a single handed defence of Ulster against the invading army of Queen Medb of Connacht. The main reason for this raid was a famous brown bull which was kept in Cuailgne. But the tyrannical king of Ulster, King Conchobar Mac Nessa, also played a big part in gathering rebellious Ulstermen and others from many parts of Ireland to Queen Medb's side.

One man who fought on Queen Medb's side was Ferdia. Ferdia was son of Daman the Firbolg, and was a lifelong friend and comrade of Cuchulainn. As young men, they were both taught to fight by Scathach. During the war of the brown bull of Cuailgne, Ferdia did his best to avoid coming up against his friend, but eventually Medb taunted him into fighting the great hero in single combat and the two fought grimly to the death with Ferdia being killed by Cuchulainn.

At Ferdia's death, Cuchulainn fell exhausted, lamenting, "Why should I rise again now he that lies here has fallen by my hand?"

Death of a champion

One prophecy told Queen Medb that there would be "crimson and red" upon her forces because of Cuchulainn's prowess, but she was determined to invade and also she had three advantages. First, the great hero had made bitter enemies of the Calatin family, whose daughters were witches. Just prior to his last stand along with his faithful charioteer Laeg, they cast a spell on Cuchulainn which withered a shoulder and a hand. Second, Medb attacked when Ulster's heroes were laid low by Macha's curse, and were unable to fight for five days and five nights. Finally, Cuchulainn had lost the support of the goddess Morrigan, because he had rejected her passionate advances.

Yet he still managed to conduct a successful single-handed defence and was able to slow the advance of Queen Medb's forces by the use of clever tactics and lightning attacks, until the effects of Macha's curse had almost worn off, and the dazed warriors were able to respond to Sualtam Mac Roth's call to arms. But their help came too late for Cuchulainn. Pressed on all sides by his enemies, the Ulster champion was overcome in spite of aid from his divine father, the sun god Lugh. His only companion, Laeg, was laid low with a spear, then Cuchulainn himself suffered a terrible stomach wound that even Lugh could not heal. Finally, Cuchulainn tied himself to an upright stone in order to fight till his last breath. As soon as he died Morrigan, in the form of a crow, settled on his shoulder and his enemies cut off his head and right hand, leaving his body for the carrion birds. Conall, his foster-brother, managed to recover the missing parts, but Ulster wept for the loss of their champion. Indeed, so widespread was Cuchulainn's fame that his exploits influenced the development of the Arthurian myths in Britain and France.

The stories of Cuchulainn captivated me as a youngster and I know the same is true for Irish youngsters today who learn about the exploits of the Ulster and Irish champion. He is an inspiring Irish character and a small but significant example of the contribution Ulster has made towards Irishness.

Hold your Irishness close to your heart and know that Ulster lies within your soul.

It's great to see Irish comedian (and in my opinion Ireland's funniest comedian) Tommy Tiernan doing so well in the States. His debut in Los Angeles has been heralded as a runaway success.

The Navan man's stint there has been described as a sell out success with his politically incorrect routines receiving standing ovations.

Variety magazine described his observations as offbeat and thoughtful while the LA Times dubbed Tiernan a Gaelic Eddie Izzard without the weird drag or literary.

That's great to hear. Personally I think he's excellent and I found this hilarious 15 minute clip of his show "Loose" at last year's Montreal Comedy Festival which had me laughing out loud. Check it out below...

I see US network Fox has commissioned another two new series for The Simpsons. The show, currently in its 17th season, is the longest-running prime-time entertainment show in America.

Personally I used to be a big fan of The Simpsons but I find it pretty much unwatchable now. I think the humour is almost non-existent at present and to be honest, I think it should have been put out to pasture long ago. Still, I enjoy watching the repeats whenever they are on such as the one where Homer is in space for example, and I have fond memories of all the episodes from that era. With that being the case, I thought I'd list off my top ten favourite Simpsons characters. So without further ado:

1. Homer Simpson - While I hate the current version of Homer who seems psychotic more than silly, I love the old Homer who was stupid in an endearing way.

2. Lionel Hutz - Lionel Hutz, attorney of law, is a great character. I always found him funny. "Mr Simpson don't you worry. I watched Matlock in a bar last night, the sound wasn't on but I think I got the gist of it."

3. Mr Burns - Mr Burns is great too. One of my favourite moments is when Smithers says, "Mr Burns to celebrate your birthday I've arranged for the people of Australia to spell out your name with candles. If you'll just turn your head slightly..." "Bah! No time"

4. Principal Skinner - Skinner is great as the uptight school principal. It's always a laugh to hear him reminisce about Vietnam.

5. Ned Flanders - Ned is such a brillaint and unique character. I love the episode where he and Homer become friends.

6. Grampa Simpson - Good old Abe is great fun ranting and raving about every little thing.

7. Bart Simpson - Again, the new version of Bart is too annoying for my liking but he was quite funny in the early nineties.

8. Patty and Selma - The world's biggest MacGyver fans. I think these two are hilarious when they're making Homer's life miserable. My favourite line from them is from a flashback episode when Homer says, "Don't worry kid when you come out the first thing you're gonna see is a man with a good job" to which they reply, "Yeah - a doctor!" Priceless.

9. Smithers - Waylon Smithers deserves a mention for his dry delivery. He has had some great lines over the years too.

10. Apu - Apu deserves a nod too. It's always fun to see him get robbed at the Kwik-E-Mart and I love the episode he is in with James Woods.

So there you have it. My top ten favourite Simpsons characters. I'm sure I've left out a few good ones. Feel free to comment on my choices or to offer up some of your own.

I see there's alot of anger in unionist circles over the very mature and admirable move by the British government to send British ambassador to Ireland, Stewart Eldon, to attend events marking the 1916 Rising.

The News Letter has a silly letter from a disgruntled unionist over the matter whilst the Young Unionist's website has an awful post up on the issue. I would dissect the stupidity of the post in full but it would probably take me a week. I'll simply let you form your own opinions on that guff. I will however comment on some of the opinions of unionist politicians on the decision by the British government:

First up let's analyse wee Jeffrey Donaldson's hilarious comments (oh wait he was being serious) on the matter:

"It's bizarre that the British Ambassador should be invited to these celebrations in the first place."

Oh really, Jeffrey? Do you think so? Would you say it was more bizarre than a group calling itself 'Love Ulster' deciding to come to Dublin to inform local Dubliners that they didn't like them butting into the North's affairs? Because if my memory serves me correctly, you did not find that bizarre at all. On the contrary you championed their cause.

"After all, this is about celebrating the deaths of British soldiers, British policemen in the old Royal Irish Constabulary and innocent civilians."

No Jeffrey, it's actually about celebrating an act of defiance. I was under the impression that the same was true of the Orange Order's celebration of events like the Battle of the Boyne. Mr Donaldson, would you say then that the 12th of July celebrations each year are a celebration of the deaths of Catholics?

"The Easter Rising was an act of terrorism directed against the British State and that a representative of that state should in anyway be involved in an event glorifying such actions is most unwelcome."

The Easter Rising was not an act of terrorism, it was a rebellion. There's a difference. This was outlined by a United Nations panel in November, 2004, who defined terrorism as:

"intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act".

The purpose of the Rising was not to murder Irish civilians but rather, as the name suggests, to have the Irish people rise up in rebellion against the British state. As well as that, a UN short legal definition proposed by A.P. Schmid stated that:

"an act of terrorism is the "peacetime equivalent of a war crime".

Leaving aside the fact that this event occurred prior to the establishment of the League of Nations or the UN, clearly the Rising could not be classed as a "war crime". Therefore Mr Donaldson is wrong but to get back to his Love Ulster connections, in 1974 Dublin was bombed by loyalists and as we know loyalists were active in the formation of Love Ulster. Is Jeffrey thus a gigantic hypocrite? I would have to conclude that yes he is.

The UUP's Danny Kennedy also criticised the decision to send the British ambassador to the 1916 Rising celebrations:

"It's quite astonishing that the Government would be even prepared to acknowledge the events, let alone participate.

"I think most people will be astonished. Bizarre is the only word for it."

I beg your pardon? Why on earth wouldn't they acknowledge the events? Is it acceptable to ignore certain aspects of history, Mr Kennedy? I find your view of things bizarre!

I would like to take the time to applaud the decision by the British government to send the Ambassador, Stuart Eldon, to the 1916 Rising commemorations as it shows a depth of maturity that unionist politicians seem a long way off from attaining. It never ceases to amaze me how unionists band about terms like "terrorism" when commenting on the Easter rebels yet they overlook the barbaric savagery that the British troops themselves engaged in on the day. Not only did the South Staffordshire regiment bayonet 15 innocent civilians on the day for example, but a host of other atrocities were carried out as The Guardian newspaper outlined some years back in this article. Some of the events that occurred on the part of the British:

"The North King Street area was the scene of some of the heaviest fighting in late April 1916. It is known one officer, Captain Bowen Colthurst, later described as mentally unstable, shot six people in cold blood, including the pacifist Francis Sheehy-Skeffington."

"James Moore was killed by soldiers at his front door in Dublin's Little Britain Street. "He was probably a perfectly innocent person," the memo notes.

"Under the heading "The Case of Patrick Lawless and three others killed and buried at 27 North King Street", the memo says: "It is not unlikely that the soldiers did not accurately distinguish between refusing to make [sic] prisoners and shooting immediately prisoners whom they had made [sic]."

"Thomas Hickey, described by his widow, as a "great Britisher" and their 16-year-old son, Christopher, were also shot. "There is nothing to show [they] were Sinn Feiners or had taken any active part in the fighting," the document says.

"One document shows that by October 1916, 187 "Irish rebels" had been court-martialled, and 14 death sentences had been carried out. The records of the proceedings had to remain secret, army officers insisted, because of "the position of any general who in the future may be required to cope with another rising".

"An unidentified army officer in London admits: "I think the evidence in some of the cases was far from conclusive"."

When you consider that the British Queen apologised for some of the attacks on Nazi Germany in WW2, it could be argued that the British are fortunate they are not being asked to apologise for what they did to innocent Irish civilians. However, I personally don't feel that is necessary. No use brooding about events almost 100 years ago. The gesture by the British government to send the Ambassador is to be welcomed in my view and I'm sure most Irish people would agree with me on that.

It is just a shame that unionists don't have the maturity at this point in time to at least show some class and restraint when dealing with the Rising. Considering that the Ulster Volunteer Force were the first paramilitary group to arm in Ireland - who were prepared themselves to tackle the British government if Home Rule was introduced - I don't think it is helpful, or indeed accurate, to solely demonise Irish Republicans.

Unionists frequently say they want nothing to do with Dublin but, ironically, while the Irish and British governments have evolved from 1916, the unionist mindset remains stuck in that era. Embedded, immovable.

Unchanged, unchanged utterly.

It is clear that right now in the north of Ireland we are experiencing a tense stand-off between the Irish and British governments and Ian Paisley's DUP. Back in February I posted my thoughts on the matter and I stated that the current situation was akin to a game of poker. I stated that while the DUP think they have all the right cards, the two governments need to call their bluff and that they have just the card to use. I outlined what this was:

"The situation in the North has become a game of poker and the stakes are high. Paisley and his merry band of minions think they have the governments beaten and that they have the people silenced but Joint Authority is a winning hand."

Joint Authority. Yes, that is the card that has not been played. Well, until now that is...

"The tiller of power"

As the Belfast Telegraph reports, the DUP have responded angrily to a suggestion by Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern that Dublin and London take "the tiller of power" in the north of Ireland if local parties can't agree on power-sharing.

Mr Ahern said that in the absence of agreement between local politicians over an Assembly the two governments would have to "step in" and make an "inter-govenmental approach" to decisions. While it was not an open or hostile threat to the DUP, the message was quite clear:

"It's probably not the preferred option."

"We would far rather that people from Northern Ireland have their hand on the tiller of power but if they decide not to want that then the two Governments would have to step in and take decisions and people from Northern Ireland and their representatives won't really have any great say in that respect and that is unfortunate."

The stakes have obviously been raised. The Irish and British governments have wisely cottoned on to the fact that this is their only shot at beating the DUP rejectionists. And as the Belfast Telegraph stressed, "Mr Ahern's remarks are being interpreted as an indication of the outline of proposals being considered by Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair". Things just got interesting!

"ill judged remarks"

However in a game with such high stakes, bluffing is bound to occur and the DUP's Peter Robinson has unsurprisingly called the two government's bluff:

"These are ill judged remarks from the Irish Foreign Minister.

"He says he is trying to push the process forward, so for his Government to attempt to tell Unionists what to do, or else, is foolish.

"He and Bertie Ahern are hardly in a strong position to recommend that unionists should embrace arrangements for government with Sinn Fein that they themselves won't touch.

"It's the Irish Government that has been telling Sinn Fein that it isn't fit for Government in the Republic and telling Gerry Adams that his party can forget about any coalition with Fianna Fail."




Robinson has his game face on



A hackneyed response from Robinson it has to be said. As has been pointed out in the past by Irish Ministers, coalition governments in the South are negotiated. Fianna Fáil and the PDs are in power because they came to that arrangement. However it is a mandatory requirement in NI for the two largest parties to work together. It is a different kettle of fish altogether. Robinson is fronting a cool exterior at this point but I think he and his party will be a little bit alarmed by this. I think the DUP's feathers have been ruffled by Mr Ahern's comments.

'Joint Authority' itself is a vague proposition. It is perhaps more significant in theory than it would be in reality. It could simply involve the British government implementing outstanding aspects of the Good Friday Agreement with the Irish government being given a consultative role. Still, it is the what the term conjures up in the minds of the DUP that matters most.

I think Dermot Ahern has done well here. I think it's a smart idea to propagate vague and unspecified notions of "inter-governmental approaches". The desire is not for Joint Authority after all but for a restoration of the Assembly, and so right now the threat of Joint Authority is what matters more than any serious attempt to implement it. Let it be an unclear but potent Plan B, lurking ever ominously in the background.

Dermot Ahern has raised the stakes and for that he should be commended, however the stand-off is ongoing. If he blinks first, he's out.

As many of you who read this site are aware, I am unashamedly an Irish nationalist. I desire the reunification of my country and for the scar on the Irish nation - Partition - to be done away with as soon as possible.

It is my belief that the island of Ireland will be reunified within this century but I am not naive enough to think that it will be an easy task. It won't be. There are many obstacles to face if we are to bring this momentous event about and I'd like to talk about one such obstacle right now - apathy towards the north of Ireland from certain people in the Irish Republic.

It is an undeniable fact that there are many people in the 26 counties who do not care one iota about those in the 6 counties north of the border. A fact brought home to me in a recent political discussion I had. The issue of the north was brought up and one individual was totally apathetic towards the place. Of course, I took issue with this view. The conversation was brief and went a little like this:

"Personally I don't care about it at all. Too much trouble. As far as I'm concerned we should cut the place off and let it float away. It's not relevant to my life."

"Not relevant to your life? You're Irish aren't you? Do you not accept that Ulster is an integral part of Irishness? Do you really think Irishness can exist without any of the four provinces?"

"Look, you'll just have to accept that there are many people who feel the way that I do."

And that was pretty much it as there was no desire to continue the political discussion. But I think I made my point and it wasn't really challenged. Is Ireland the same if you take away a region from it? The answer is no.

Still, the gentleman made a fair point that his view is a view shared by many Irish people. That does indeed have to be acknowledged. However, he was wrong in saying that this view is something that I will have to accept. I will not accept it. On the contrary I will endeavour to challenge it!

I think patriotism is something that ought to be personal but while this might seem like an arrogant thing to say, I honestly feel I have a healthy and proper outlook on what constitutes Irishness. To me it's not about wearing green leprechaun hats and getting pissed on St Patrick's Day, to me it's about accepting the diversity of the island and accepting that each province and each county are equally important to making Ireland what it is as a nation.

The apathy towards Ulster from some Irish people just breaks my heart, especially when I think of the massive contribution the province has made to Irishness. The Ulster myths of Cuchulainn and Deirdre for example, the Ulster dialect of the Irish language, the Ulster contribution to the GAA and Rugby, not to mention the the huge impact of Ulster on Irish history.

I feel the apathy and hostility towards Ulster held by many Irish people smacks of ignorance and poor understanding and I will aim to do what I can to tackle this state of affairs. That's why I will be creating a new feature over the next few days here on United Irelander which will detail the various contributions that Ulster and its sons and daughters have given to Ireland as a whole. This feature will function similar to my Today in History and Events of Shame features which pop up every once in a while. If I can educate at least one apathetic Irish person towards the importance of Ulster to the rest of the island then I will feel like I have done well.

To my compatriots I simply say this: Hold your Irishness close to your heart and know that Ulster lies within your soul.

I see unionist politicians have been whining and complaining about the St Patrick's Day celebrations in Belfast claiming that they were "intimidatory". How were they intimidatory you ask? Why, because Irish tricolours were in attendance of course!

UUP MLA Michael Copeland (pictured left), who you might remember badmouthed the invitation to take part in celebrations for the Easter Rising, said the event had proven "unwelcoming" to unionists. Copeland moaned:

"Commemorations of St Patrick in Northern Ireland should reflect the fact that his legacy belongs to all the people of Northern Ireland, both protestant and catholic."

"Unfortunately St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast have one again proved to be for one side of the community only."

"Many of my constituents who ventured to the celebrations did not stay long. They felt uncomfortable and unwelcome. The sheer number of tricolours and the strong nationalist look and feel to the parade rule out any sense of a cross-community event."

Point of note - St Patrick is the patron saint of IRELAND, not Northern Ireland, and as such belongs to the island as a whole. As for this nonsense about it being for one side of the community only, the Irish tricolour - now pay attention Mr Copeland - symbolises peace between Catholics (represented by the green) and Protestants (represented by the orange). There is nothing intimidatory about it. On the contrary, it's a CROSS-COMMUNITY FLAG! If you choose to ignore that Mr Copeland, that's YOUR problem.

Next up for a pop was Diane Dodds of the DUP. She branded the celebrations "another disappointment":

"There were not that many people at the concert but there were plenty of republican flags and it seems that for republicans it is simply an excuse to wave Irish tricolours in the city centre."

How do you know they were 'republicans', Diane? I noticed on RTE television many children in Dublin waving tricolours on St Patrick's Day. Perhaps the presenters should have asked them for their thoughts on the peace process? They must have been republicans too. Diane whined on:

"It would be good to have a cross-community event in the city, one where unionists and nationalists can feel safe, but it is clear that republicans cannot cope with that."

If you seek to have a cross-community flag like the Irish tricolour banned then you clearly do not desire a cross-community event! What do you think the orange on the tricolour stands for? And how the hell are unionists not safe with tricolours in attendance?




Careful, it's an Irish tricolour!



The attitude displayed the unionist politicians is appalling. I am outraged at how they are treating my national flag. I would never seek to deny unionists the chance to wave a union jack at a St Patrick's Day celebration (though I don't know why they would want to) so I don't see why the Irish flag is being bashed in this way.

SDLP deputy Lord Mayor Pat Convery offered an encouraging message of hope saying he thought yesterday's parade had been a "small step forward" for a divided city:

"We hope that the diversity of our city will be able to be included in this parade and concert.

"We hope we will be able to generate a lot of interest in this new event every year."

Hear, hear, Mr Convery! Belfast's diversity ought to be celebrated, not belittled. Culture should be praised, not proscribed.

These unionists have a long way to go. They need to open their hearts and their minds because right now, they remain utterly, utterly closed.

I'm pleased to see this issue raised again.

Sinn Féin Ballymena councillor Monica Digney has said NI residents should be given the right to vote in Irish presidential elections.

She made the comments following confirmation that Irish president Mary McAleese is to visit the town later this month, which has - disgracefully - sparked outrage from unionist politicians in the area.

Despite the disgusting comments from DUP councillor Robin Stirling that "the Irish President has little to contribute to our borough", Ms Digney said she believes that permitting citizens from the North to participate in Irish Presidential elections would give them a sense of belonging to the Republic:

"The Good Friday Agreement stated that people in the North have a right to Irish citizenship and voting for the President is one way in which we are entitled to use this citizenship.

"At present, we have a President who was born down the road in Belfast but even the very people who grew up with her cannot vote for her.

"We in Sinn Féin are still lobbying the Dublin Government to grant northern citizens the right to take part in Presidential elections, as it is a key part of our Irish citizenship that was safeguarded under the Agreement."

Ms Digney also urged unionist representatives in the area to refrain from engaging in any negative actions or words towards Mrs McAleese after Mr Stirling refused to rule out the possibility of a protest greeting the Irish President.

He said he expected a decision about a protest would be taken at a higher level within the DUP but claimed that parents of Ballymena Academy, where Mrs McAleese is due to visit on March 28, had contacted him to express their outrage at the proposed visit:

"Her visit to what is viewed as a DUP heartland will undoubtedly be seen by many as being provocative"

However, Ms Digney argued:

"Mary McAleese has been involved in much bridge-building and cross-community work."

Two things need to be addressed here. First of all, in relation to Irish people in the North having the right to vote in Irish presidential elections, of course they should be allowed. Otherwise the granting of Irish citizenship to those in the North is a waste of time.

Second of all, why the hell is Robin Stirling of the DUP so intent on protesting about a visit from Mary McAleese? I'd be interested in hearing a unionist perspective on Mr Stirling's plans. Personally I think the man should be ashamed of himself.

It seems to me that both these issues relate to having a voice. Irish citizens north of the border should be allowed voice their opinions on who should be Irish President and the President herself should be allowed voice her opinions in any part of NI that she wants to.

It's fairly straightforward.

I see that in a survey carried out by the world's largest online travel information and advice site, TripAdvisor, which surveyed more than 1,800 travellers worldwide, Dubliners have been voted the friendliest and most helpful locals in Europe!

Dubliners just edged out Londoners to top place, although Londoners were voted the most affable citizens in Europe by Americans.

Overall this is great news although I'm guessing that those surveyed, thankfully, didn't take these guys into account.

The survey also found that if people could choose just one Western European city to visit in 2006, Rome would be the most popular destination among travellers, with sister Italian city Venice placing second.

Hmm. Can't really argue with any of that. I must say I think Dubliners generally are very friendly people (not that I'm biased) and this news is a welcome boost for Dublin's image.

And as well as that, Cork didn't feature at all! Fantastic!

The English are usually quite magnanimous in defeat but there a fair few English people who seem quite bitter about Saturday's events. Not least, England rugby coach Andy Robinson.


Robinson is bemoaning all three tries which Ireland scored in their 28-24 victory over the English:

"I'm very upset about the three tries that were given."

"I'm really frustrated for the boys because I thought they put in a huge effort.

"That was a positive step for us. On another day we would have won the match and won it well."

"We've lost the game by four points. It's small margins, but nothing really went our way today. I couldn't fault the effort of our players."

"At times we played some very good rugby. I just felt throughout that Ireland were allowed to slow our ball down and when we slowed their ball down we got penalised."

Sour grapes? Sure seems like it. On the BBC's website, a few English rugby fans are quite bitter too:

"shut up, the officiating was poor and it directly led to 2 Irish tries"

But to be fair, most English fans did indeed take the defeat on the chin:

"Just want to add, please please fellow English, stop blaming the ref, we were crap, and it makes us sound terrible losers. Bad decisions even out over the tournament, we should just accept defeat gracefully and get on with it.

"There does seem alot of England supporters moaning over the touch judge decisions but at the end of the day all these things cut both ways. I suppose alot of this is just borne of frustration and a bit of straw grasping. Bottom line is both teams were pretty evenly matched today and Ireland came out on top and deserved to win. It was a great match and a fitting end to what has been a mixed 6N's. As an England supporter it hurts like hell to see BOD lifting the triple crown at HQ but thats what sport is all about. Remember my fellow countrymen, character and backbone is shown in defeat as much as victory. Once again, well done Ireland."

Like I said, most English fans adopted this attitude:

"Yep, I'm English and terribly depressed about the state we are in, but well done Ireland. The fact is, Ireland were losing to us with a couple of minutes to go but with a bit of brilliance that we (i.e. England) haven't shown in years (and certainly aren't capable of now) Ireland did what they needed and got what they deserved with a fantastic try. It was a brilliant initial break and superbly executed touchdown. Hats off to them.

"Excuses for our defeat are just that. It's the 3rd win a row for Ireland against us - that's not luck! The fact is England are World Champions (God it seems such a long time ago) and shouldn't be having to argue the toss about decisions here and there. Some you get, some you don't. You make your own luck and the way we play - we don't deserve any.

"Ireland have quality in certain positions (and coaching) that we no longer do and even when we took the lead with that Goode penalty, somehow you always thought that the Irish backs would come up with something, which of course they did. When you are in that position and you do it, as Ireland did, what can you can say but very well done - I only wish we'd have been capable of the same, but of course, we are miles away from being able to do that at the moment.

Maybe Andy Robinson should take a leaf out of their book?

And we Irish can be fairly magnanimous in victory too. Take for example this comment from an Irish fan:

"To the 18 year old with the lump in throat. Obviously not in Landsdowne Road in the early 70's when the English turned up and saved Irish rugby, unlike our Celtic cousins the year before. More than a lump in throat to be part of a 5 minute standing ovation to a visiting team.

"We should not forget these people's bravery. I have never begrudged England a win since, never minded seeing Ireland beat them either."

That's what it's all about. There's no use moaning about the decisions. After all, in football, Lady Luck smiled down on England in the 1966 World Cup final when the ball was adjudged to be over the line. You win some and you lose some and today it was Ireland's day to taste victory!

Once again, well done to the Irish team. An inspiring performance!

Job well done!

We've done it! Ireland has won the Triple Crown by beating the old enemy England at Twickenham!

What an absolutely thrilling game and Ireland won it at the death. Great to win it on St Patrick's weekend as well!

Another great day to be Irish, eh?!

Well done to the boys in green!

I see the Orange Order has laughably issued its first ever St Patrick's Day message saying the festival should be about more than just 'green beer and leprechauns'.

It also said that it is greatly concerned by the breakdown of morality in our society (ha!), such as the recent introduction of civil partnerships.

The Order does condemn violence and hatred towards homosexuals but notes that the Bible condemns homosexual practices as well as heterosexual immorality.

The Order added that St Patrick’s message is in danger of being lost and that today should be a day of Christian reflection and re-dedication to Biblical standards and morality.

Can you believe this garbage?

I would suggest to the Orange Order that they take their own advice and re-dedicate themselves to 'Biblical standards and morality'. They might find this passage from the Bible a useful one to begin with:

'Love thy neighbour'




Hypocrites


I would have more respect for the Orange Order if they actually practised what they preached and showed compassion to their fellow human beings. Sadly they continue to ban Catholics from joining the Order and they persist in hanging on to their triumphalist traditions, marching down areas where they are not welcome and sticking two fingers up at the locals.

It would be nice if the Orange Order faced up to the many difficult challenges they face here in the 21st century. Sadly, the only difficult path they are likely to want to walk down is the Garvaghy Road.

A shame.

Tut-tut. You let me down, folks! That's right, NOBODY offered me up a post for the weekend. I was willing to leave it up all day Saturday and all. You would have been the centre of attention here on UI! Opportunity missed, guys and gals. I'm disappointed.

I'll put it down to the fact that you were all so excited about St Patrick's Day that it slipped your mind. (Yes, that'll do)

Now you have seven days to send an article along. It can be on anything you like. Give it a go!

This is the last time the header will be changed...maybe.

What do you all think of things now?

Opinions are again welcome. Especially positive ones!

Update: I'm having an awful time trying to republish the entire blog. I keep getting a message saying 'There were errors' as well as this:

001 Connection reset

Can somebody tell me why this is happening and what I must do to fix it?

Right now I'm putting it down to Blogger being run by a bunch of twats and the only solution I can think of is to put my boot through the computer screen.

But I might regret that later. Any help would be appreciated.

Update 2: Everything seems fine now. Touch wood, anyway.

Nice image to your left eh? Never gets old!

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has presented US President George W. Bush with the traditional bowl of shamrocks at a ceremony in the White House.

In their brief remarks at the shamrock ceremony, both Mr Bush and Mr Ahern referred to the historic links between Ireland and the United States, to the potential for progress in the peace process in the north of Ireland and to the controversial issue of immigration reform.

In the US it seems Irish issues are back on the agenda - for today at least - and I always find it amusing how the US media portrays the political situation here. They always seem to want to make it into a religious issue when it is clearly a predominantly political one. Take CNN's report on today's events for example:

"Joining him (the Taoiseach) at the White House were the rival leaders of Roman Catholic opinion in the British territory of Northern Ireland: Gerry Adams, leader of the IRA-linked Sinn Fein party; and Mark Durkan, whose Social Democratic and Labour Party represents moderate Catholic opinion.

"Also scheduled to attend were representatives of the major Protestant party, the Democratic Unionists, but not their fiery leader, the Rev. Ian Paisley. Reg Empey was representing the once-prominent Ulster Unionists, and Britain's secretary for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain, was on hand."

See what I mean? This really irritates me I must admit. It's ridiculous to still speak of things in Catholic/Protestant terms and how can anybody say the SDLP represents "moderate Catholic opinion"?

I'm sure many 'moderate Catholics" voted for Sinn Féin last time making them the largest nationalist party in the North. It's just shoddy journalism in my view.

I wish the US media would start looking at this issue in terms of nationalism/unionism as the Irish and British media is able to do.

Anyway, I hope you all have had a good day. I was amused to hear that 400,000 people were at the parade in Dublin. Earlier there were predictions of 700,000. Good old Irish apathy, eh? I'm just having a relaxing St Patrick's Day myself. Not going to get pissed tonight. However you choose to spend the rest of the evening, spend it wisely and responsibly!

I shall leave you with what I consider to be a far nicer image from St Patrick's Day:

With today being St Patrick's Day (you mean you didn't know?), I figured it would be a good idea to devote this week's Fun Irelander Feature to the big day.

This time last year I made a small quiz-like post on St Patrick's Day but this year I've gone ahead and created the real deal. You can take it here:

St Patrick's Day quiz

Find out what kind of Irish person you really are!

It's good to see the Taoiseach making a case for the estimated 50,000 to 70,000 illegal Irish immigrants in the United States.

Bertie Ahern has urged the US Senate to pass immigration legislation that would benefit the Irish there.

He said he would raise the issue in talks with US President George Bush as he did during a day of talks with members of Congress.

After meeting with Republican Senator John McCain, the Taoiseach said:

"We understand your concern about the need for better security and tightened borders.

"We do not want to interfere in your affairs but we will put forward our case."

He thanked Mr McCain for his support on the immigration issue.

'Ah let them stay'
'Bertie you're...hurting me'


McCain and Sen Edward Kennedy are among those sponsoring immigration bills that the Judiciary Committee is considering.

Asked by an Irish journalist if exceptions could be made for members of a national group, McCain said he opposes he opposes special treatment for national groups such as the Irish in other immigration legislation under consideration in the Senate.

McCain said if the Senate does not pass comprehensive immigration legislation, it will be an issue in the congressional elections in November. He said it will not go away because fundamental reform is required:

"I am hesitant to start carving out national groups such as the Irish or the Poles or Ukrainians."

"I would rather focus on a comprehensive solution."

I personally hope that the US does the right thing and allows the Irish living over there to stay. Think of the history between our two great nations. Think of the friendship.

Do the right thing, America. I trust you will.

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!

And for those of you who have no idea what that means - Happy St Patrick's Day to you all!

Hope you all have a good one.

St Patrick's Day is almost upon us and one of the things synonymous with the day is the attempts by the US administration to help the peace process in Ireland along.

Yes while Ireland gives the US a big bowl of plants, the US traditionally gives us a big kick up the arse and this year is no exception. Apparently the message George W. Bush will give to the parties in NI is "get on with it".

I think that opinion accurately reflects the views held by the Irish and British governments but I don't think Bertie Ahern or Tony Blair are in a position to come out and tell the parties that, as much as they'd like to.

I am interested in the general theme in Washington tomorrow for St Patrick's Day. With the IRA pretty much out of the political equation at this stage, they are a card that the unionists can no longer play. With that being the case, it's not really surprising then that Dr Paisley has declined an invitation to meet with the US President. He knows he'd simply get a grilling.

There is encouragement to be had over British Secretary of State Peter Hain's message to Paisley in the British House of Commons earlier in the week:

"If you are asking me to bar a very important part of the Northern Ireland political constituency from representation in the Assembly or a power sharing government, then I can’t agree with you on that.

"We have got to make progress.

"Your party needs to talk to the other parties and I would say at some point, sooner or later, your party needs to talk to Sinn Féin since they are the second largest party in Northern Ireland."

Hopefully the pussyfooting around Paisley and Co. is now coming to an end. It has to.

The message from the Bush administration to the two governments should be to move things forward. Don't let the intransigence of the DUP stifle progress any longer. Proceed with implementing the outstanding provisions in the Good Friday Agreement if Paisley refuses to deal.

Let's get on with it!

OK the header has been altered again. This time it's transparent.

What do you think? Is it better this way?

Opinions please...

I'd like to take a moment to talk about one of the biggest dirty little secrets of the Northern Ireland state's history: gerrymandering. From reading Michael Laffan's book, The Partition of Ireland, 1911-1925, one really gets a sense of how sick and depraved the NI state really was.

It's shocking to think that unionists were willing to allow people who were their compariots be treated as essentially sub-human. Check out these facts from Laffan on gerrymandering below:

"This trend was accentuated by the alteration of constituency boundaries, gerrymandered so as to restore Derry City, Fermanagh and Tyrone to unionist rule despite their catholic and nationalist majorities. Out-numbered two to one the nationalists were doomed to the role of perpetual opposition within Northern Ireland, and even in those areas where they formed a majority they were denied power at the level of corporation or county council. Unionist rule was restored to Derry City with the help of the direct vote and a readjustment of boundaries, but the catholic percentage of the city's population continued to increase and in 1934 the minister for home affairs wrote anxiously to Craig warning that unless something were done:

it is only a matter of time until Derry passes into the hands of the Nationalist and Sinn Féin parties for all time. On the other hand, if proper steps are taken now, I believe Derry can be saved for years to come.

"Proper steps were taken and the city wards were re-structured two years later so that 9,961 nationalist voters might return eight councillors and 7,444 unionists might return twelve. Catholics were indignant, and so were Derry unionists who saw the measure as half-hearted and inadequate. These attitudes and practices remained unchanged until catholic pressure and British intervention forced unwelcome reforms on the Belfast government during Stormont's final years. (p.108/109)

Now when I read about this I can't help thinking to myself, how the hell can any unionist seriously question those of us who plan on commemorating the 1916 Rising, as if it were something to be ashamed of, and yet fail to acknowledge the DISGRACEFUL treatment of Catholics/nationalists by the Northern Ireland state's leaders? If you want something to be ashamed of, look no further than unionist gerrymandering!

Is the Northern Ireland state really worth hanging on to when this is the legacy that it has left? I don't think so.

It also makes you wonder...do you think the reason why the DUP don't want to share power isn't so much to do with the threat of the Provisionals, but rather because - like the unionist leaders of old - they simply don't want a Catholic/nationalist about the place?

I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed by Fianna Fáil TD Tom McEllistrim who has called for every primary school in Ireland to be given a Tricolour to mark the 90th anniversary of the Easter 1916 Rising next month.

The Kerry North representative, whose grandfather fought in the War of Independence, said pupils should be reminded of their history and take pride in it:

"The Tricolour is a deeply symbolic flag. Its colours capture our nation’s past and the prospect of a lasting peace forged by the Good Friday Agreement.

"Our younger generation should be constantly reminded of Ireland’s national identity and take pride in her history."

He said he would raise the issue with the Education Minister Mary Hanafin.

Well said, Mr McEllistrim! I must say I think patriotism is something sadly lacking in our public schools. At my school we didn't even have an Irish flag. How pathetic is that?





Time to restore some pride


I too would like to see all schools given Irish tricolours in the run up the Easter Rising celebrations and they should be taught how significant the Easter Rising was towards giving them the freedom they possess today.

We shouldn't be afraid to show pride in our country's history and in the brave, heroic stand taken by the 1916 rebels.

Welcome to the first edition of a new feature that I've entitled Words on Wednesday which will see me interview various figures from all walks of Irish political life.

The first individual to come under scrutiny is Fianna Fáil Councillor and Mayor of Letterkenny, Damien Blake.

I'd like to thank Damien for agreeing to do this and for putting as much effort into it as he did. With that being said, let's begin.

What initially attracted you to political life?

My first real involvement in politics was around the time of the Nice referendum. It was the first time I was able to vote, so it meant alot to me. But many of my friends weren't too bothered about it. I was surprised; as teenagers we talk so much about being ignored and disregarded, but when we got a chance to have our say young people weren't getting involved. I wasn't particularly interested in which way they voted, only that they took the time to think about the issue, and went out to vote to make their point, even if they spoiled their ballots. I pushed my friends to vote, and caught the bug that way.

Like many young people who get involved in political life, there is a family history in politics. Ours is a bit different. My father was a councillor for both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, and stepped down from the council in 1996. Other family members have been on the Council, both as independents and with parties, so their was a real association with it. Growing up around local politics gives you a real sense that it's possible to make a difference; it's politics with a small "p"- the local issues like planning and development rather than the specific national issues.

I was 20 when I decided I wanted to stand for the elections; there was a lot happening around Letterkenny that I didn't like. I intend to spend my life here, and I wanted to help shape the development of the town rather than idly giving out about it. I felt I would be too young to have any success, but two councillors (of the 9) were stepping down, and it seemed like too much of an opportunity to pass. The Fianna Fail party locally were a great help, as were my own extended family and friends. I had 13 young people who canvassed for the first time with me.

Initially, my father was against me standing for election. He felt I was mad, offering to hand over a substantial chunk of my life at such an age. He has gone on the record about it, including on local radio. But when the time came, when I was in the race and needed his help, he was a massive help and did everything he could to help me get elected.

In 2005, you were elected Mayor of Letterkenny. Talk us through a typical day in your life as Mayor.

I know it's an obvious answer, but there is no "typical" day! Local politics is split between immediate/reactionary issues, like filling pot holes and making representations for constituents, and longer term issues like Development Plans. Being in contact is also important. I always try to be near a radio for the 8:30 local news, and if there's a local paper out (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) it's important to see that early in the day too. I like to have my email dealt with by about 9:30. As a Councillor you're also buried under a mountain of post every day, so it's important to deal with that as effectively as possible.

There's two sides to the role of Mayor. Firstly, you're Chairman of the Council, which takes extra responsibility with it (including extra meetings). Secondly, there's a civic role to it, representing the Council and representing the Town. Most of the Council stuff takes place during the day, and the Civic stuff in the evenings. In an average week, I'll be at either a function or a meeting 3 or 4 evenings, and have another 3 or 4 day time meetings with Council staff. I'm in the council offices most days, dealing with representations that people bring to me.

As a Councillor, but more so as Mayor, you're always on call. My mobile phone stays on all the time, and my mobile number is easy to come by. No two days are alike - there are weeks when you may have no functions or evening meetings, and then there are weeks where you might have 15, with up to 4 on any night.

Being a Town Councillor is a part-time position, as is being Mayor of aTown like Letterkenny. I try to fit in some work around my Council responsibilities, but most of the time the Council wins out. I'm also working on a Masters (by research), so that needs to be fitted in somewhere. I tend to get most work like that done in the evenings, after meetings. There's far less distractions at that kind of time.

If you could change three things about Irish society, what would you change and why?

Irish society is doing fairly well, but we all have stuff we'd like to see different. It's hard to narrow this down, so here's three in no particular order.

Firstly, we need to work on the strength of public debate in Ireland. Too often, we get trapped on tribal matters (whether that be in the North or in the South) rather than addressing the real important issues. There is too much focus on personality, rather than policy, in politics, and I think all parties are guilty of this by times. In the South, we see Fianna Fail leading with Bertie Ahern (as in the last General Election - I have an "I'm Backing Bertie" t-shirt somewhere I think) and the opposition parties attacking the personalities rather the policies. It would be beneficial for us all to see Labour and Fine Gael actually working on policy, rather than Press Releases. The same holds true in the North; I'll never forget watching (I think) a Let's Talk special before the last election in the North, with reps of the four main parties debating before a large audience. Not once did they discuss education, economics or healthcare. This isn't good for politics, and it's clearly not good for the regions these politicians represent. There are many questions in Ireland which need to get proper public debate, including economic policy, migration policy, and our neutrality.

Secondly, we need to get back to basics on our education systems. I'm a great believer in equality of opportunity. Ireland's successes, and the Celtic Tiger, were based on the availability of skilled workers and motivated young people. I can't help but feel we've taken our eye off the ball on that one. Funding (and practical support) needs to be increased for third level, post-graduate research programmes. The most important thing a Government can do is ensure that people are educated to the best of their abilities. This includes vocational education, special education programmes and back-to-education programmes. Representation of a number of groups is lacking in third level institutions. More needs to be done to increase the numbers in education. I personally believe that the student support system in the South needs overhaul- for example, I believe the Student Grant should be (at least) tied to Unemployment Benefit. I know I'm talking alot about Third Level education here; that's where I'm at now so it's in my thoughts alot. The problems we see in Third Level are often identifiable in primary and secondary education, so of course I don't mean to ignore them. The education system, as a life-long system to get the best out of people, has the potential to be the greatest enabler of social mobility in the country.

Third, our system of local government needs to be reviewed. It could only be good for democracy if more power was excercised at a local level. It is also important that public representatives receive the training and support to do the job effectively. As a Town Councillor, you receive absolutely no training and are expected to know everything about the job from the day you are elected. My family and party colleagues were extremely helpful, but I can see how there would be real difficulties for Independents and smaller parties. I think there should be less councillors with more power, and they should be remunerated as full time workers. Public life takes a real commitment; I am able to give a lot of time to it as I'm young, don't have a mortgage or a wife and kids, and am self employed. It would be near impossible to give the same commitment while holding down a 9-5 job and looking after a family.

What are your thoughts on a United Ireland?

I think its essential that we can deal with this question as a forward-thinking society. We need to move the debate forward, rather than focussing on the past.

A United Ireland is absolutely essential, and the only way we can continue and extend the prosperity and growth that we have seen in the South in recent years.

The North has suffered hugely, not just from the Troubles but also from a lack of economic progress brought on from the failure of Politics to reach beyond Tribalism. The North is an area with no control over its own destiny, economic or any other way. The North suffers many of the same difficulties as in the South, and I'm sure many of the same solutions could work too. One of the starkest illustrations of these is that, despite constant reference to the North/South divide, both jurisdictions suffer on their own from a substantial East/West economic divide.

We're never going to move the United Ireland agenda forward unless those of us in the Nationalist/Republican constituency reach out to the Unionists and Loyalist, and start to make the case for a United Ireland on the grounds of the massive benefits it could bring to the 6 Counties. Focussing on the horrors of the Troubles, or indeed the Centuries of trauma inflicted on Ireland, will not get us any closer to a United Ireland. All major parties are committed to the principle of democratic consent, so the work now has to move to political campaigning to show the benefits.

On a side note, I think Fianna Fail has an important role to play in this process. I have been an active campaigner for the establishment of Fianna Fail organisations in the North, to see the party participating in politics on a 32 County basis. This is overwhelmingly supported by the members (and leadership) of Ogra Fianna Fail, and has huge support within the wider party membership. We are constantly pushing the Northern agenda as vital to the development of the party and (hopefully) to the development of the situation in the North.

What should be done to improve the situation in NI?

That's a very tough question! It is becoming clearer and clearer that the British Government is running out of patience with the lack of movement in the North. They seem to be looking more for a way out than to secure their control over the North. This is good and bad. It shows that a United Ireland is in reach (at least, more in reach than ever before), but it also means that the failure of the DUP to engage in any real form of politics is unlikely to change.

The Southern Government needs to push the All Ireland agenda, and to work with the British Government to get them back to full implementation again. As long as Peter Hain continues to take the tough decisions for the politicians in the North, it may be difficult to get any movement. For example, the recent rates rise in the North would have been a tough decision for local politicians. The parties need to be forced to work together - for example, a freeze on public sector spending (or capital investment) until local politicians are willing to make the decisions together. I think we would then see the voters on the ground pushing more and more for a return to devolved Government.

A more-cynical suggestion would be to link payments to MLAs to attendance in sessions of the Assembly. I think we'd see them all around the discussion table again very quickly!

What are your thoughts on the European Union?

I'm extremely supportive of the EU. I think the benefits it has brought to Ireland are clearly self-evident, and the stability it has brought to Europe are absolutely unprecedented. That said, it is not perfect and beyond reform.

I think the Euro is fantastic, and its contribution to international trade (and travel) in the Eurozone are at the core of the European Ideal. I also think it's great to see that such a massive project could be undertaken, in a decent time-scale with contributions from so many people. The scale of launching a new currency for so many people in so many countries on the same day is such a huge project, but it passed without issue. That said, Ireland has given over much of our economic sovereignty, most notably surrendering the ability to set our interest rates. The economic implications of this remain to be seen.

The European Union hasn't been in the best of health recently. Things like the growth of Nationalism around europe, the failure of the Constitutional Treaty and the horse-trading over the Services Directive show the need for reform. But I have no doubts that membership of the EU has been hugely beneficial for Ireland, and the region. One need only look at the surrounding countries, and the countries which have recently joined the EU. The former Soviet Bloc countries faced uncertain futures after independence, but the carrot of EU membership was enough to tie them to programmes of economic efficiency, transparency in public life and equality for their people.

What are your thoughts on the Easter Rising and how do you intend to mark the occasion?

The Easter Rising was one of the defining moments in our modern Irish history, and I think it's vital that we mark it. I have written about this on my website, and have had a letter published in the Irish Times on the matter.

In essence, the Easter Rising and the Proclamation set out the roadmap for modern Ireland. In that context, it is important that we take this opportunity to recognise what happened at the time, but also to take stock of how well we have achieved the goals set forth. It's clear we haven't fully achieved them; this anniversary should serve as a reminder to redouble our efforts to achieve them.

As Mayor of Letterkenny, I will be taking an active part in the Celebrations. We are currently finalising our programme of events, supported by the Town Council, County Council, Museum, Libraries and Schools in the area.

Ireland has taken our place among the sovereign nations of the world, and that is something we should be proud of. I support the idea of the military parade in Dublin, as part of the celebrations rather than as the Centre Piece. The Irish military have made a massive contribution to Peace Keeping around the World (Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Liberia etc) and I think it's important that we acknowledge that, and recognise the importance of that role. I don't believe it should be seen as triumphalist, or inflammatory, in an Irish context, particularly now that we see the IRA decommissioned.

What would a Fine Gael/Labour government mean for Ireland?

I don't really know. I don't think they'll have the numbers to stack it up anyway, but they haven't been very clear to date on what they want to do, other than "Give us a go please, those FF boys have been in for ages". Throw the Green Party into the mix, and it will be quite difficult even to prepare a programme for Government, before considering how to implement it. I would like to see an FF/Labour coalition after the next election; I think that's the most likely combination given how the numbers are looking (but it will have to be done without Pat Rabitte), and has been effective in the past. I have a strange feeling we could be seeing a hung Dail, and another election fairly soon again.

There was some anger recently from Sinn Féin at the perceived backtracking of the Taoiseach in regard to MPs from NI speaking in the Oireachtas. What are your thoughts on that issue? A good or bad idea?

Any movements by the Oireachtas to engage with the North needs to address the concerns of all sides of the Community. I know it's unlikely that most UUP/DUP politicians would be running down to Dublin to say their few words, but it would be important to engage with them on the plans anyway. I do think it's a good idea - I'm always surprised when I travel around Ireland to see the lack of awareness of the issues from the North outside of the border region, and anything that could help with awareness would be welcome. There must be an accommodation that can be reached.

That said, I also think it's important all MPs from the North take up their full speaking rights in Westminster. It's laughable that they are unwilling to make use of their access to Parliament, but are more than willing to take the huge funding.

What are your thoughts on the current conflict in Iraq right now and Ireland's position?

This is a very, very difficult question. There can be no doubt that the American occupation (I use the term loosely) has been horrendously mis-managed from the outset. That doesn't necessarily imply that an immediate withdrawal would be beneficial either. The US is now moving to hand more autonomy and control back to Iraq - I'm aware of the irony of giving autonomy to a sovereign state - and that is to be welcomed.

The US used to talk about the "domino effect" - seeing democracy in Iraq leading to improvements across the region. There is now a very real danger of a very negative "domino effect" of radicalism and insurgency. It is well documented that events like Bloody Sunday radicalised young Irish people into resistance against the British occupation of the North. For all the hype about the UK Army being more experienced with gorilla/terrorist campaigns, they should have seen the insurgency coming from the outset.

The invasion/occupation has failed, so there is need for a new plan. Military support will be required, but there should be moves towards engaging other Arab/Muslim countries to take part and to lend their support. I would recommend Irish Peace Keepers, but I am unsure as to how they would be welcomed.

Ireland's involvement raises numerous questions of its own. Yes, we claim to be a militarily neutral Country, and the support we have given the USA does not tally with that. I am surprised that there has been no large-scale questioning of our neutrality over this - the debate has centred on whether or not this breaches our neutrality, but not whether we should be neutral or not. That would be an interesting debate, and could help shape Ireland as we move towards engagement with the "War on Terror" and the EU Battle Groups.

Where should Ireland be twenty years from now?

Ireland has changed immeasurably in the last twenty years, and I'm sure will change as much in the next twenty. I hope we can continue to be as economically successful, and have succeeded in dealing with the alarming levels of social inequality that have come with our rapid growth. Ireland will be a much more cosmopolitan country, host to people from around the world.

The education system, I have said before, will be absolutely instrumental in this, as will the ongoing infrastructure development programmes. We have come on great strides in recent years, but recent developments (eg Port Tunnell) have shown we still have far to go. As the saying goes, "Alot done, more to do".

And I better have my very own George Jetson-style Hover-car!

What are your thoughts on the recent riots in Dublin over the Love Ulster parade and do you think the marchers should be invited back to Dublin?

I don't really have much to add to the debate on the Dublin riots. They were an absolute disgrace, and have damaged Ireland's international reputation. There is no way possible to condone what happened.

I believe the Love Ulster group - or any other group looking to demonstrate or protest peacefully - should always be welcome. Once they can work with the Gardai to ensure a peaceful and safe event, there should be no problems. I think the Love Ulster group - and others - should have a right to express any peaceful opinion. Public events like this serve to get people interested, and active, in politics. This can only be a good thing, even if you oppose what they have to say. There should also, of course, be access for counter-demonstrations, again as long as it remains peaceful.

There aren't many Irish politicians in the Irish blogosphere. Why do you blog, and do you see more politicians taking it up?

I never really considered myself a "blogger". What I do on the site is really just an extension of what public representatives do. It's a very effective, very quick way of getting information into the public domain and onto the public record. It's also a way for local people to get to know more about their representatives. I try to stick to local issues, only dealing with national issues either when I feel I have something to contribute or when it is an issue being raised locally. Issues that I feel strongly about also get addressed - I think it's important that the people you are asking to vote for you are as informed as possible on your views. Anything that can bring more openness or transparency to public life should be welcomed.

I think we're going to see more and more Irish politicians coming to the Internet, and blogging, in coming years. This should reach its peak in the run up to the next General Election. When you consider how close the election is expected to be, politicians will take any opportunity to get their word out.

I hope politicians will do things properly when they move to the Net. There are a few Irish politicians with websites at the minute, but most of them are either not updating them or just throwing up Press Releases. Politicians should be updating their websites themselves, with their own opinions, and allowing debate to develop from those opinions. I was slow to get comments enabled on my site, but now they are there I think they add quite a bit to the site and it's effectiveness.

What would you say to any Irish people reading now who aren't sure who to vote for in the next General Election?

There's never been as much information available on politicians and the parties they represent. There will be wide coverage in the media, and anyone who wants to will be able to research their local candidates. I'd also encourage people to think about the local issues before the candidates start canvassing, and to ask the questions you want answered. That's the best way to see what candidates really have to say, without any media filters on it.

There is two things to consider - the politician, and the party. For General Elections, it's important to consider who would be right for you in your constituency, and to consider which party you feel would help steer the country.

I would encourage everyone to go to the effort of voting. If you don't want to vote, or feel it is a waste of time, then go to the polling station and spoil your ballot. Many politicians would disagree with that, but I think that a deliberately spoiled ballot sends a very strong message of dis-satisfaction. Spoiled ballots do send a message, and it's a message that does get through to the politicians on the ground. In the Irish system, every box and every ballot is checked in great detail, and a large number of spoiled ballots in any area is a very clear sign of dis-satisfaction.

Finally, I'd like to play a small round of word association. I'm sure you know what it entails. Basically just outline what word comes into your head when you hear the following names:

Bertie Ahern - near-retirement
Tony Blair - slipping
George W. Bush - failure
Michael McDowell - self-assured
Ian Paisley - never!
Gerry Adams - It would take more than a few words to describe my gut thoughts on Gerry - but the first word in my head was "grissly"
Mary McAleese - dignified
Padraig Pearse - visionary
Roy Keane - langer
Damien Blake - after this piece, I think "long-winded" would be accurate!

Next week, SDLP MLA for North Antrim Sean Farren takes my questions.

So what do you make of the new-look United Irelander? With St Patrick's Day on the horizon and the 1916 Rising celebrations approaching, I figured it was a good time to make some changes to the colour scheme and so I've reverted back to the old green look, albeit with a few tweaks here and there.

I know quite a few of you didn't like the blue look of old so hopefully this proves more eye-catching. I've added a poll on my sidebar to see what you think and all feedback is welcome.

The colour scheme isn't the only new addition to United Irelander. Wednesdays will see me interview various figures from all walks of Irish political life and first up tomorrow will be Fianna Fáil's Mayor of Letterkenny Damien Blake. Make sure you check that out.

On a final note, I'm still seeking an article for my weekend guest post here on United Irelander. Last week MWK wrote a great article which proved interesting for alot of you so if you think you can do just as good a job or better, email me something, on whatever topic you like, and I'll post it up on Saturday. Otherwise you'll just have to hear from me again!

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the new changes to United Irelander.

Update: There have been some issues with the size of the logo above. Right now it is set at its original height and width without any stretching of the image. Do you think I should stretch it out a bit more? What do you all think?

Update 2: I've tweaked the heading again. Hopefully that's a bit clearer for you all. If not then tell me where I went wrong and hurl abuse at me over it.

Update 3: I've made it a teeny bit bigger. But is it a teeny bit better?

It wasn't that hard to think of a theme for this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday. In case any of you have forgotten, this Friday is the 17th March aka St Patrick's Day.

Yes, unearth your silly leprechaun hats and Irish tricolours and join the rest of the world in celebrating (embarrassing?) Irishness.

I think St Patrick's Day, like all holidays, tends to lose its shine and magic as we get older but even so I'm still a big fan of the day. With that being the case, I give to you all now the top ten things about St Patrick's Day. So without further ado:

1. Day off - First things first, it's a national holiday here so we all get a day off. And if you're a TD, you get a week off! Huzzah!

2. The parade - You know the drill. Floats, jugglers, American cheerleaders swinging stuff yet it's a familiarity that breeds warmth rather than contempt. I have to say though the only floats that I can remember are that big dragon one and the Father Jack float. Anyone else remember that one?

3. Everyone wants to be Irish - Even though it usually leads to the usual stereotypes of leprechaun references, the pot o' gold, Guinness etc., it's still nice to see the rest of the world trying to embrace Irishness. If only they'd get it right though...

4. Irish themes - All the TV shows tend to make a big deal about the day. Paddy's Day is on a Friday this year so I want, nay demand, to see Pat Kenny decked out in a Celtic jersey telling us about his namesake. That alone would justify the TV license fee.

5. Shamrock shakes - Guinness isn't the only drink you should down on Paddy's Day. Make sure you get yourself a Shamrock shake in McDonalds too. Minty goodness right there folks and you only get one week a year to savour it!

6. You get to wear a big leaf - It's tradition on Paddy's Day to walk around with a large plant on your chest, aka the shamrock.

7. You can break Lent - In Ireland you're allowed to break Lent on St Patrick's Day. Apparently it exploits a little-known event in the Bible where Jesus left the desert on the 17th March to have a pint of Guinness and a few sweets.

8. Sea of vomit - It's a day where you can witness Dublin transform into Venice except instead of water and gondolas we have vomit and gardaí. Marvel at the locals pissed before 4pm, struggling to stand up.

9. Hear the wonderful myths - It's a chance to hear all the wonderful stories about St Patrick like the time he got rid of the snakes from Ireland, the time he tended to the Children of Lir and the time he beat Superman in a fight by hiding some Kryptonite amidst his shamrocks. Don't mess with St Patrick, Supes.

10. See the US President - Yes St Patrick's Day allows Irish politicians the chance to leave the country and meet with the US President in acknowledgement of the fact that we Irish built America pretty much single-handedly. I think we all feel a warm glow of pride as we witness the Taoiseach hand the US President a big bowl of weeds. Moments to last a lifetime.

So there you have it. The top ten things about St Patrick's Day. Feel free to comment on my choices or to offer up some of your own.

I've been reading a book I've mentioned before here on United Irelander which I highly recommend, The Partition of Ireland: 1911-1925, by Professor of History at UCD, Michel Laffan, and it is absolutely fascinating to read just how unreasonable and unprincipled the conduct of the unionist leader, James Craig, was during the Treaty talks. Even the British government found the position adopted by the unionist leader to be most unfair. I thought I would outline some interesting passages from the book which certainly provides food for thought.

This is from page 84, Chapter 5:

"Lloyd George felt that the unionists would give way when faced with the threat of a boundary commission combined with the prospect of higher taxation if Northern Ireland remained an integral part of the United Kingdom instead of joining the south. Thomas Jones (Lloyd George's go-between) noted that the prime minister had been toying with 'various ways of bringing pressure on Ulster through her pockets' and his mistress's diary reveals that at this stage of the negotiations Lloyd George was deeply hostile towards the unionists. Shortly afterwards he described Bonar Law, their defender, as an Orange fanatic.

"On 10 November Lloyd George proposed formally to Craig that the Northern Irish government should retain its existing powers under an all-Ireland parliament rather than under Westminster. The question of which area would remain under Belfast's jurisdiction would be reserved for discussion but the creation of a national parliament 'would clearly further an amicable settlement of this problem'. (This combination of inducement and veiled threat was as near as he came to mentioning the boundary commission.) He pointed out that Ulster's tax burden as part of the United Kingdom would be greater than if it were part of an Irish dominion."

Now this doesn't seem to be an unfair situation proffered by the British, does it? Indeed as Laffan explains, many of the British delegates had sympathy with the Irish delegates over the issue of Partition:

"At a private meeting of the British delegation...Churchill revealed considerable sympathy with the Irish position:

we cannot give way on the Six Counties because they are fixed ; we are not free agents. It is no use going along that line ; but we can do our best to include the Six Counties in a larger parliament plus autonomy...If they get unity we could press Ulster not to object to holding autonomous powers for the Six Counties from them instead of from us. (p. 83)

All sounds very reasonable, right? But read Craig's reaction to Lloyd George's offer:

"Craig's reply was even more forceful than might have been expected. He rejected any revision of Northern Ireland's frontiers, ruled out any all-Ireland parliament and insisted that no paper safeguards could protect unionists agaisnt Dublin maladministration. To resolve the problem which Lloyd George claimed would result from the existence of two unequal governments in Ireland he suggested that the north acquire the same dominion status as the south."

Can you believe that? So one minute the unionists object to Home Rule - before eventually embracing it themselves for a manipulated territory consisting of six counties, the next minute they are complaining about the Irish desire to separate from the UK - before Craig too asks to leave it just like the Irish Free State! Unbelievable stuff. It just goes to show how unprincipled the unionist stance was at the time. Read the British reaction:

"The British cabinet was infuriated by the proposal. Lloyd George derided the idea of the north obtaining dominion status and ascribed financial reasons for Craig's request ; he wanted 'a six bob tax as against three bob'. (Jones noted Griffith's pleasure that 'the cloven hoof of Ulster's sordidness had shown itself in their willingness to forego representation at Westminster for the sake of a lower income tax'.) The Conservatives were uneasy and Chamberlain was warned there was no possibility of rallying the country behind Ulster ; 'it would not be easy to rekindle the flame which burnt so fiercely before 1914'. The Tory press urged Ulster to make some concessions towards Irish unity in the interests of peace.

"Craig's suggestion of dominion status for Northern Ireland made the unionists intensely unpopular and the British cabinet resented their sabotage of its plans for a settlement with Irish nationalists." (p.85)

Like I said, food for thought! It seems even the British were exasperated at the position adopted by certain unionists. As we all know though, no united Irish parliament was pursued from this point on and instead it was hoped that the Boundary Commission would produce a fair border. Again, we know this was not the case.

What I find most interesting from the above more than anything is Craig's request for dominion status on a par with the Irish Free State. Many unionists today refuse to countenance the demise of Partition on the grounds that it would involve leaving the Union. As if to seek the end of the division of Ireland would go against what unionism stands for. However the unionist position during the Treaty talks was that dominion status and departure from the Union was an acceptable proposition. Therefore I would argue that it is unwise to suggest, as is commonly claimed, that a United Ireland independent of the Union would go against what unionism stands for. It would not. It would merely reflect an evolution of the unionist position.

We are at a point in time now far better than the one 85 years ago. The Anglo-Irish relationship is good and healthy, there is no animosity between Dublin and Belfast and all sides are eager to see the people of Ireland achieve the best standard of living that they possibly can.

These are exciting times we live in. We should all look towards building a future where all Irish men and women, of all races, colours and creeds can live together in peace and brotherhood where they can be secure in their respective identities.

We shouldn't be prisoners of our own history. We should be architects of our own destiny.

Just when you thought Irish politics couldn't possibly get any more scandalous, up pops this story from the Sunday Independent.

In an exclusive, they report that highly trained gardai are routinely being used to run domestic errands for Government ministers and the President as well as acting as a taxi service for their family members.

As well as providing protection to the President and Cabinet ministers, garda drivers and special branch officers are being asked to drop children to school, fetch shopping and even drive family members to concerts - all paid for by taxpayers out of a special €5m annual budget.

The practice has been going on secretly for years. But last night, after the Sunday Independent revealed widespread abuses of the privilege, TDs and rank and file gardai called for a complete overhaul of the system.

Some ministers have used their garda drivers to collect pizzas and drop children to piano lessons, while one minister sent a garda car to drop his child to a music concert and bring them home afterwards.

The Sunday Independent also reveal the interesting example of Emma McAleese, the 24-year-old daughter of the President, who is regularly dropped off at her workplace in central Dublin by a garda driver.

Despite being largely anonymous and having no apparent security risk attached to her, Emma McAleese is often taxied to work by gardai who are supposed to provide 24-hour armed special branch cover to her mother. A senior Garda spokesman last night said: "Nobody is assigned a driver as a chauffeur. It depends completely on the security risk to the individual.

"If the VIP is moving, they'll drive. If they're static, they continue to provide protection. It is the protection we are providing, not a chauffeur service," the spokesman said

But no garda is assigned to Emma McAleese during her working or social hours, which appears to clearly show there is no security issue for the president's daughter that requires 24-hour protection.

The President's office has claimed it was a matter for senior gardai. A statement said:

"We do not comment on security-related matters. The deployment of garda resources is a matter for Garda management."

But rank and file gardai are furious, saying their profession is demeaned by the rampant practice of using garda drivers to run errands and act as a taxi service.

Some fear that the garda driver would be "hung out to dry" if something were to happen to their charge while they were away "working as taxi drivers".

One garda said: "These guards are doing menial tasks that could, in most cases, be done by civilians."

It gets worse. The Sunday Independent has the identities of a number of ministers and former taoisigh who also take full advantage of the expensive perk. These include:

* One minister who has dispatched his garda driver to ferry his grown-up son to concerts and orders the garda to wait outside the venue until the young man is ready for his lift home.

* The daughter of a minister who is often escorted to various sporting events around the country.

* A former minister's wife who was driven to the supermarket to do her weekly shopping by her husband's garda driver.

* A former minister who, while in office, sent his garda driver to pick up pizzas and videos for his children's entertainment.

There were calls last night for the entire system to be "overhauled" in the wake of the Sunday Independent investigation, and questions will be put to the Taoiseach in the Dail this week.

Labour Justice spokesman Joe Costello said:

"Garda drivers have official duties to perform and they should not be considered a family resource to be used as chauffeurs. Obviously the gardai are being very flexible in the duties they perform, but it gives out the wrong message for an official State car, paid for by the taxpayer, to be used as a babysitting or taxi service. It demeans the garda and it demeans the office."

"It is up to the Taoiseach to ensure his ministers do not abuse this privilege."

Unbelievable stuff. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a complete and utter farce. I mean, I've heard of abuses of privilege before but this takes some beating!


To protect and serve...and get the groceries








I commend Joe Costello for bringing the matter up with the Taoiseach. I can't wait to hear his explanation for it!

What a dreadful waste this is of police manpower. We're hearing constant reports of people being shot in Dublin and yet we have garda officers forced to ferry Ministers and their families around to sports events, concerts etc. It's lunacy. Total lunacy.

The buck should surely stop with McDowell though over this rather than the Taoiseach, don't you think? He is the Justice Minister after all. In relation to criticism of Mr McDowell on gun crime, Arts Minister John O'Donoghue yesterday said:

"I’m quite satisfied that the Minister for Justice today is seeking to do all he can to deal with that problem."

Well, Mr Donoghue, when I read the bullshit tasks that the gardaí are being forced to do, I must say I am certainly NOT satisfied that he is doing all he can with the problem!

This whole issue is just a mess. In my post below I focused on Seamus Brennan's remarks that Irish people are becoming more selfish, impatient and arrogant.

Do you think he might have been talking about his colleagues?

Once again several Irish politicians stick two fingers up at the people who elected them. Enjoy your week-long break for St Patrick's Day, guys.

Ireland's economic boom is making Irish people "selfish and arrogant", according to Social and Family Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan.

The Dublin TD made the claim whilst addressing the Accord conference in Co Cavan. He said the nation had always prided itself on its humanity and decency and the new challenge was to retain these traits:

"Economic, social and cultural success does not cure all ills – it comes at a price.

"Ireland must now face up to new pressures and fresh challenges – what you could call the problems of swift and remarkable success.

"I am struck, for example, by how many Irish people are increasingly displaying what I view as selfishness, impatience and, even, an arrogance.

"This to me is something that runs against the grain of the humanity and decency that we as a nation have always prided ourselves on.

"How we hold onto that humanity and hold onto that decency must surely be one of the greatest challenges that all of us face going into the future."

He could charm the birds out of the trees, this one. I don't know if he'd make these kinds of statments if we were in election season, I have to say.


You're a bad influence, Celtic Tiger!








I'm not sure I agree with what the Minister says. I think alot of the things he mentions - selfishness, impatience, arrogance - are rather a result of the rip-off Republic that we live in.

We the Irish people know that we are getting a raw deal and so many of us end up exhibiting the kind of traits mentioned above. They are signs of disillusionment rather than simple disdain.

That's my theory anyway.

For example, recently I had breakfast in a restaurant where I bought some tea and toast. As I had forgotten to get butter I went up to get some only for the cashier to insist I pay forty cents for the two tiny packets. I mean, does the economy fail if I end up taking the butter for free?

It's this kind of covetousness for cash that leaves Irish people disaffected.

I think it would be far better for the Minister to focus on ways to deal with that reality. Urging us to hold on to our decency is hardly worthwhile.

Offer the people a panacea, Minister. All you're offering us now is a placebo.

Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern must set a deadline for the restoration of devolved government in the North, according to Sinn Féin's Mitchel McLaughlin.

The Derry Journal reports that the Foyle MLA has confirmed his party has written to both leaders outlining its strategy for ending the current political impasse.

The strategy requires the two governments to meet the North's parties and set out a timetable by which the suspension of devolution would be lifted and a multiparty executive formed:

"This should be completed before the summer and well in advance of the loyalist marching season."

"If the DUP rejects this, then the two governments should, on the basis of joint government decision-making, get on with delivering those many parts of the Good Friday Agreement that they have direct responsibility for."

Mr McLaughlin said that it isn't feasible to continue shadow boxing with the DUP in talks or mark time and to maintain an Assembly that isn't functioning.

"The DUP have been the lead party in unionism for more than two years."

"They have had plenty of time to make up their mind about whether or not they are going to embrace the new dispensation.

"The longer the political vacuum continues the more difficult it will be to get the political institutions back up and running.

"The governments need to face up to this reality. They need to commit themselves to making progress well in advance of the marching season."

If the DUP is unwilling to form a power-sharing government by the deadline, Mr McLaughlin said the governments should fully implement provisions in the Good Friday Agreement on human rights, equality, the Irish language, victims, symbols and emblems, as well as the expansion of cross-border elements including areas of co-operation and the number of implementation bodies.

I agree totally with Mitchel McLaughlin. The two governments have pussyfooted around Paisley and co. for long enough. It's time to deliver, with or without them on board.

It is clear from recent polls that a significant portion of DUP members just don't want power-sharing under any circumstances and if the DUP are going to let these people hold them back, fair enough. However, we cannot be held back by the DUP.

The two governments cannot allow the DUP to halt progress any longer. Set a deadline, allow the DUP to make their choice and if that choice is to continue to stifle and stall further then simply leave them behind and engage in joint government decision-making.

We can't wait around forever.

I was shocked and appalled to read about this racist attack on a Catholic church in east Belfast last week.

Racist slogans were daubed on the walls of St Colmcille's Church on the Upper Newtownards Road and excrement was smeared on seats.

A truly vile and disgusting act however members of Protestant churches have made a lovely and defiant gesture by attending mass at the Catholic church in question.

On Sunday, representatives of local Presbyterian, Methodist and Church of Ireland congregations attended St Colmcille's.

A Presbyterian minister said it was a show of opposition to hate crimes.

Reverend Richard Hill from Garnerville Presbyterian Church said racism was a "very grave problem".

He said the churches wanted to "show our solidarity with our friends and neighbours" in St Colmcilles "to say that racism is not acceptable":

"It's wrong, it's got to stop.

"We're meeting together as a group of churches in the area during Lent, to look at hate crimes, to look at how we, as a church, can respond."

The parish priest, Father Paddy Delargy, said the attack was racially motivated.

He said a small section of society seemed unable to accept those from other countries.

The church, which has Indian and Filipino members, is currently hosting a parish mission.

I take my hat off to the members of the Protestant churches for their admirable and appropriate stance on this matter. All decent people should condemn totally the animals who engaged in this despicable attack on the church.

The united stance offered by the Protestants and Catholics is a joy to behold and stands in stark contrast to the petty bickering which blights the North's politicians.

Well done to all involved.

The photo to your left (nicked from Geared Up Blog) is of the Irish Blog Awards event which took place at the Alexander Hotel last night. From what I hear, the evening went very well indeed and everybody wanted to meet me (OK I made that last part up).

Sadly folks, United Irelander did not win the award for Best Political Blog. Instead, that honour went to Slugger O'Toole. Congratulations to Slugger and it means Pete Baker now has that award to be proud of as well as the one he won in the United Irelander Blog Awards.

It's a bit disappointing, and not altogether unexpected, but hey, if being Irish has taught me anything, it's that winning isn't important whatsoever. Besides, I still have that gold medal I won from the egg and spoon race in primary school and nobody can take that away from me.

In all seriousness, I want to say thank you to those of you who very kindly nominated me for Best Political Blog (If only you'd been the judges, eh?) and also to those of you who have wished me good luck in the run up to the awards. It means alot that some of you out there enjoy what I write and while it's a cliché to say it, being nominated truly is an honour in itself.

(Final note on the awards - If a Corkonian was the judge for that political blog award I'll be ragin'!)

I learned courtesy of Gavin's Blog that Gavin's cousin, Victor Connell, tragically suffered a serious spinal injury whilst playing for Longford RFC in October 2005. This spinal injury paralysed him largely from the neck down and leaves him requiring assistance for the rest of his life.

Many Irish bloggers have called on their readers to consider giving a helping hand to this man and I echo their sentiments 100 per cent. Victor's story has been reported on RTE here as well as the Irish Independent here.

Irish people are usually very good at giving help to those who need it and I understand that there were fundraisers at the Ireland match yesterday for Victor. Hopefully they will raise alot of money for him, but you can as well.

At this time of year, many people give up stuff for Lent in order to help improve their lives. Some people give up sweets, some people give up beer etc. Forget all that bullshit.

Go ahead and give up a couple of euros for this man because you will be doing so much more for him and for yourself. You could actually help change a life.

Go visit the Victor Connell Trust Fund Appeal and give what you can.

Thank you.

The following article was written by MWK. I'd like to thank him for contributing to United Irelander.

Unionism - Where does it need to go?

The vast majority of Republican sites are always banging on about Unionism being a dead-end philosophy, with no future, and nowhere to go.

Well, I got news for you sunshine, Pink isn't here he stayed back in the hotel. (Sorry, for those of us whose mother's played such music to us growing up, there is only one way for 'I got news for you sunshine' to end.) I got news for you. That is true. It isn't going anywhere, and it is a deadend. Why? Because where does it need to go? It has arrived where it wants to be, its people have what they want, and there is no need for it to make the effort of make-up and heels. Sure isn't it the Republicans who need to do the chatting up?

Speaking as someone from a Unionist background who would be more sympathetic to a United Ireland than some of my compatriots, the work in this relationship doesn't need to be from the UK side. The strop and temper tantrums of Nationalists didn't work. Bombing and maiming didn't work. Charm, people, charm. You don't pick up women in bars by blustering in with fists and expletives.

So all the naysayers, trying to spin that Unionism is defunct of ideas. What ideas does it need? It has Union with London. (And before the arms and hackles get raised, I am aware of misdeeds in the past, of discrimination. I oppose all that. Down with that sort of thing.)

Republicanism needs to do more. It needs to come out of the ghetto, needs to appeal in a new way, not to sneer and be as intolerant as is shown by those from Northern Ireland. (I mean, not using prejorative terms like 'Occupied Six Counties', 'Ireland's North' and so on would be a good start. As soon as I hear people starting with that, you know their opinion straight away. You don't hear me saying 'Last time I was in the unoccupied twenty-six counties' do you? Oh, wait, I have done, only to show the two-faced-ness and slanted arguments used by facile shinners. And wind them up. Earnest young men selling Socialist Worker really need to get lessons in reality.)

Acknowledging that there is a union with the UK would be a start. Accepting that some like this arrangement (the majority, natch) would also be good. Understanding this, then changing your mode of thought would be the way forward. But oh no! It isn't a majority on the island. *sigh* Shall we dance round it once more?

I don't need to apologise for what I am. I don't need to be made to feel like a leper in my own country. I don't need unrepentant Trots to dictate the way I should think.

People. We are not from Cork.

m.

Gotta have a blog. It is the law.
http://www.stray-toaster.co.uk/blog

If you'd like to contribute an article to United Irelander for a Weekend Post on any subject you like, email:

unitedirelanderfeedback -at- yahoo.com (change "-at-" to "@")

Tonight's the night of the inaugural Irish Blog Awards and as I'm sure you all know by now, United Irelander is one of five blogs in the running for Best Political Blog.

Now I haven't won many things in my life with the exception of that magnificent win of mine in the egg and spoon race in primary school (although to be fair many of the other kids were disqualified for using glue) so with that being the case, an Irish Blog Award would be a most welcome addition to my mantelpiece but I think the important thing is that Irish blogs benefit as a whole from this and I suspect that they will.

Well done to Damien Mulley for putting this all together. I am in awe of his organisational skills.

Hopefully it will prove a good night out for everyone.

I came across this interesting quiz which aims to discover what kind of friend you are:

The 4-Variable Friendship Test

Here's my score:

The Realist

Constructive, selfish, and loyal, with a heap of tough love -- you are The Realist. Your first priority is exactly what it should be -- you. You're concerned about others but are unlikely to throw your life away on some foolhardy crusade to save someone else. Still, beyond those constraints, you're a loyal friend who tells it like it is, and you're probably quite funny. You'll help your friends solve their problems, even though they might not always like your advice, and you'll try to make the best of tough situations. That said, you'll try even harder to avoid or minimize those tough situations in the first place. There's a word for that. It's called "smart."
You're fine just the way you are. Some people might call you selfish, and they'd be right, but you're still a good person, and you're unlikely to change, so it's not even worth suggesting it.

Hmm. Not sure about that but I guess it could have been worse.

So what kind of friend are you?

I've seen some good impressions of George W. Bush before but this guy does the best one I've ever seen.

Apparently his name is Frank Caliendo. I can't say I've ever heard of him. Anyone know any more about him?

Anyway, he's very good so enjoy the following clip. I thought it was hilarious:

I see courtesy of UTV that the British Armed Forces minister Adam Ingram has said the 'service and sacrifice' of the UDR and Royal Irish Regiment will be formally recognised.

Speaking during a visit to meet soldiers from the RIR home battalions in Drumadd Barracks in Armagh, he said the details had still to be worked out but he said the honour would be along similar lines to the George Cross awarded to the RUC.

Mr Ingram said most of the soldiers he met this morning had been satisfied with the pay offs he announced yesterday.

Wow, isn't that something? One wonders what they will put on the medals? Probably something like:

"For outstanding valour and courage in the face of immense obstacles and for the heroic murders of

- Adrian Carroll, for being a Catholic

- Paul Kelly, a teenager, for being a Catholic

- Seamus Ludlow, for being an Irish Catholic

- Patsy Kelly, for being an Irish nationalist

- The Miami Showband, for the crime of being Irish entertainers

"We thank you for your diligent service."

Actually, now that I think about it, that might not all fit on the one medal.

Similarly, neither would these names.

Service and sacrifice indeed.

Over the last few weeks I've talked about making changes to United Irelander in order to make the site a better all-round reading experience for you all. Back in February I asked you to offer up any ideas you might have to improve the place, which a few of you did, and those opinions have been taken on board.

At the end of January I posted about how that month had set new records for visits that month with 7,500. Well I'm happy to report that February set a new record and smashed the previous record with over 10,000 visits. The aim is to continue to improve on that so you can expect the following here on United Irelander:

- More Weekend Guest Posts - I intend to continue this relatively new feature and I have received an article from Stray Toaster which will be published over the weekend which I found a very good read and I reckon you'll enjoy it too. If any of you are interested in submitting a post to appear on UI just e-mail it off to me through the address on my sidebar. It can be on whatever you like.

- New colour scheme - I've decided to change the colour scheme so the light blue will be given the boot. With St Patrick's Day coming up and with the Easter Rising commemorations approaching fast, it feels like the right thing to do to freshen the place up.

- Weekly interviews - This is perhaps the most exciting new addition. I mentioned earlier in the week that the 'What If'? Wednesday feature would be replaced and I can now reveal that I will be replacing it with a feature involving interviews with those involved in political life. Damien Blake, Fianna Fáil Mayor of Letterkenny, very kindly agreed to answer my questions and you can hear his views on a wide range of issues including his life as Mayor, his thoughts on a United Ireland, his thoughts on speaking rights in the Oireachtas for Northern MPs, Fianna Fáil in government and much, much more this Wednesday. Make sure to check it out. I have also had some interest from a few TDs that will hopefully lead to interviews at a future date and I would hope to have a few MPs from the North interviewed as well.

I hope you all enjoy the new features on United Irelander and that they make for interesting reading.

Cheers.

The issue of the Dublin riots feels as if it's been done to death at this stage but I just had to comment on this story from Ballymena Today regarding a heated political debate in Ballymena Council chamber on Monday night which saw DUP councillors blame Sinn Féin for the riots, amongst other things.

I have analysed certain parts of the article below:

DUP Councillors, William Wilkinson and Robin Stirling led the stinging criticism of the Irish state and what they claimed "its latent sympathy for Republicanism."

Author of the Council motion, Cllr. William Wilkinson, a member of the group FAIR said the journey to Dublin had from the outset been difficult: "For many the road to Dublin physically led past the site of their loves murder."

The young DUP man likened the subsequent violence to the early Nazis.

"Just like Hitler's Brown shirts, they use street violence with the same ease as political posturing, they spread their ideology of hate with ease amongst the baser elements of society and they stand poised to seize increasing political power."

"They had murder in mind as they organised their violence. This was naked sectarian hatred focused by an absolute need to silence the victims."

Cllr. Wilkinson then labelled his Sinn Fein council colleague Monica Digney as an 'apologist for fascism'.

He said: "In Sinn Fein and in its member here in this Council, we have the apologists for this fascism, across the globe we defeat and punish those who hold such anti-democratic views, however, here we are asked to accept them in government."

I think I'll interject here for any of my foreign readers who remember the anger that unionists showed towards President Mary McAleese and Father Alec Reid for comparing unionist treatment of nationalists to the Nazis. Naturally, you're probably a bit confused then to hear a unionist refer to Dublin thugs as Nazis. You need to understand that here in Ireland, it's deemed perfectly acceptable to have one rule for unionists and one rule for the rest.

Next to take the floor, Cllr Stirling seconded the motion, stating that the protest and violence was "a manifestation of the sectarianism which lies at the heart of Republicanism."

Again I'll interject for the benefit of any confused readers who may be thinking, 'surely republicanism is the antithesis of sectarianism'? You need to appreciate that unionists have difficulty coming to terms with, well, terms, and that Mr Stirling is merely the product of warped thinking.

Cllr. Stirling went on to slam the Pope for nurturing what he called 'vile anti-Protestantism'.

"What mechanism of indoctrination is responsible for this vile anti-Protestantism? The utterances of bigoted Roman catholic clerics comes to mind.

"The present Pope, the former Cardinal Ratzinger, claimed the Reformed Churches had no spiritual validity."

OK. Um...I was going to interject on this too but I can't for the life of me figure out why on earth the Pope was brought into this. Can anyone perhaps help me out on this one? Baffling comments.

DUP man, Ald. Roy Gillespie said the riots were an indication of what was to come.

"This is a very serious motion. Be warned. This is what lies ahead for those who are for a United Ireland."

I'm afraid Mr Gillespie is absolutely right. This was an example of what is in store for unionists in a United Ireland. Because you see in a United Ireland, if anyone sought to harm unionists in any way, the Irish state would do its utmost, as the Gardaí did that day, to protect them as citizens of the state. No political policing whatsoever would blight the state!

Putting forward a doomed amendment, the SDLP's Declan O'Loan said the allegation that Sinn Fein was involved was 'unfounded'. Party colleague, PJ McAvoy seconded the amendment. The DUP countered with Cllr. Mills stating that the riots had "all hall marks of Sinn Fein/IRA" as they were he said "adept at firebombs and spontaneous response".

Um, what? So are loyalists. Were they involved in the riots then? The logic here from the DUP is crazy. Ah who am I kidding? There is no logic here!

With the SDLP amendment roundly thrown out, the original DUP motion was passed with the added support of the Ulster Unionist members and the one independent member. 19-3 in favour. The motion read:

"Ballymena Borough Council expresses outrage and profound hurt that the Republican Movement prevented the Victim's Groups from exercising their democratic and legally approved right to parade on behalf of the victims of terrorism."

Republican movement? How can any sane person say that those involved in the riots constituted the Republican Movement? In fact, the Irish Independent earlier in the week reported:

"Gardai now believe that responsibility for the rioting lies with a group of violent young 'republicans' who split from Republican Sinn Fein last year.

"The break-away group has been attracting dozens of teenagers, in Dublin and the North, where they congregate under the guise of Celtic soccer supporters."

The DUP need to get real. They are acting like children. Petty, immature and nasty children.

And what the hell was with those comments on the Pope?

Bigotry runs deep within the party. If only unionists acknowledged this!

In news that is sure to upset vegetarians everywhere, or as I like to call them, 'crazy people', Irish lamb is fast growing in popularity as the Sunday family roast.

According to the Irish Independent:

Easter is traditionally the time we see the first lamb on sale but the SuperValu supermarket chain has bucked the trend and has it on its shelves today.

Lamb is now the second most popular meat in Ireland. Loin chops are increasingly seen on the dinner table but the leg of lamb remains the firm favourite.

The Spring lamb season begins in March and lasts until early October.

Musgrave SuperValu-Centra (MSVC), which supplies the locally owned SuperValu and Centra stores, says it has a policy of sourcing only 100pc Irish meat to ensure quality and traceability.
And the company predicts it will sell close to €25m worth of Irish Lamb this year.

Mmm! I must admit there aren't many things tastier than a nice bit of lamb!


Yummy!








Usually I'll end up with some mince pie on a Sunday though, or else a bit of ham. It's been a while since I've had lamb chops.

What about yourselves? Are you lamb fans? Is it your meal of choice on a Sunday?

In the news this week, the bird flu virus has been found in a stone marten, a weasel-like animal with a white throat patch, indicating the disease has spread beyond cats to another species of mammal.

This certainly raises alot of questions. Namely, if it has moved beyond birds, what the hell do we call it? The flu formerly known as the bird flu?

In other news, the estranged wife of David Hasselhoff, Pamela Bach, has made a domestic violence claim against the former Baywatch star.

The people of Austria have reacted with outrage at the news, deriding the allegations and criticising Ms Bach for denying the man's greatness. Hasselhoff denial is a crime in Austria that can earn you up to 8 years in prison.

And now for some of the key images doing the rounds:

With no deal for devolution in sight, George W. Bush is asked to give his thoughts on a solution to the North's woes.

As Bertie Ahern tries to justify the week-long break for St Patrick's Day on religious grounds, one man isn't buying it.

And finally, trouble brews when Bob Geldof learns that having the freedom of Dublin city doesn't actually mean having the freedom to enter any home in Dublin he wants.

That was the news in brief.

On the left we have Sinn Féin councillor for Donaghmede, and massive United Irelander fan, Killian Forde. On the right we have actor Ivan Sergei.

Separated at birth? You decide.

Fact: "By the age of 60, most people have lost 50% of their tastebuds."

Ah. So that explains why old people are so fond of eating vegetables. They've no idea what the hell it tastes like.

I listened to Dave Fanning's show on 2fm where Irish Blog Awards organiser Damien Mulley and award show host Rick O'Shea talked Dave through blogging and essentially what it was all about.

I must say I'm surprised at how little Irish people know about blogs. People were texting in asking what blogs are and where you find blogs etc. Is it still that much of a mystery?

Another thing that occurred to me as I was listening to the show was how blogging seemed to be perceived as some sort of geeky, nerdy pursuit. On the early part of the show they had people trying to get Glenroe put back on our screens (a campaign I fully support since I miss Miley) and surprisingly they seemed to be taken more seriously than bloggers. Rick O'Shea did his best to explain blogging but it seems like it has a very negative image associated with it. I couldn't help but feel as if Rick was defending blogging at the same time as he was describing it.

Being a blogger strikes me as akin to being a wrestling fan. Even though wrestling fans find wrestling entertaining, even though it has made a few people household names and even though it tends to do well in the ratings, it always gets stick from detractors who brand it "fake".

It seems to me that it's the same for bloggers. Even though we find it an entertaining pursuit, even though there are millions of blogs around the world and even though blogging has had an influence on world events, it still gets criticism from those who brand it "wannabe journalism".

Will blogging be able to improve its image? I think it's possible. I'm not one of these people who heralds blogging as the dawn of a new era, "gonna change the world" blah, blah, blah but I do think it has alot to offer. For example blogs responded quickly to the recent Love Ulster riots in Dublin and many bloggers got photos up of the day's events. That's a tiny example of how blogs can add to journalism as opposed to the overexcited nonsense about blogs replacing journalism.

To get back to pursuits with negative images, gaming was something that had a bad perception originally in the eyes of the public. It was seen as something enjoyed only by nerds what with games like Pong and Space Invaders and even when things picked up in the early nineties, Sega and Nintendo still seemed like they were gearing games towards kids. Then in the mid to late nineties Sony came along and games began to be seriously marketed towards older kids and adults until it got to a point where now we live in an age where computer games are seen as cool. Those who play Grand Theft Auto or Metal Gear Solid are not regarded as social lepers. Times have changed.

Blogging requires something similar. I personally feel blogs are let down with their reputation as being simply "personal diaries". While there are alot of bloggers who talk about how Cindy was being a real bitch at school and pondering over whether Corey will take them to the prom, there's a hell of alot of blogs which steer clear of the personal diary-esque style altogether and they need to be the ones who encompass the bulk of the blogosphere.

It's good to see an attempt made to explain blogging to the Irish public though and hopefully some Irish people know a little bit more about it as a result of today's radio show.

This Saturday the Irish Blog Awards take place and United Irelander is one of five blogs in with a chance of being named Best Political Blog. While it would be nice to win the award, we're all winners if the Boggersphere, Bloglaigh na hEireann (insert stupid Irish take on the word blogosphere) benefits as a result of the night.

(PS If any newspaper editors are reading this and want to give me a job, get in contact and we'll toss some ideas about)

I see redundancy packages costing up to £250m for 3,000 Northern Ireland Royal Irish Regiment soldiers have been announced in the House of Commons.

British Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said full-time soldiers would receive a special payment of £28,000, a redundancy payment and a pension.

Part-time soldiers will receive a special payment of about £14,000, but are not entitled to redundancy.

The three home service battalions are due to be disbanded by May next year.

A senior officer with 22 years service could receive approximately £151,211.

What a very handsome package this is for troops who were an absoloute disgrace to all decent British people and who engaged in some atrocious carry-on whilst serving in Ireland's north. Just listen to these ridiculous comments from Mr Ingram:

"We will never forget that over 200 Royal Irish home service/UDR personnel have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Northern Ireland.

"They should all be rightly proud of the crucial role they have played in creating the environment for normalisation."

You seem to have forgotten the ultimate crimes many of these men committed whilst on Irish soil!



So long, farewell...









I'm inclined to agree with Sinn Féin's Michelle Gildernew who said the redundancy package should have been allocated to improving public services:

"Rather than seek a British Exchequer subvention of millions for the exclusive benefit of the unionist population, I believe that many people in places like Fermanagh and Tyrone would prefer to see this money spent on improving the roads infrastructure, improving local schools and in developing the local economy to the benefit of everyone."

She said that families whose relatives had been victims of collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and members of the Ulster Defence Regiment and Royal Irish Regiment were angry at the package.

I've no doubt the families are angry and the fact is there are working class loyalist areas too which could and should have benefitted from this money.

The British government has made a poor decision here.

Fair play to Fine Gael TD Michael Ring for berating the Government's move to cancel Dáil sittings for a week so ministers can celebrate St Patrick's Day.

That's right. You read that correctly. A week - to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

The Dáil and Seanad are both due to go into recess from today until next Wednesday so ministers can attend St Patrick's Day events across the world.

The move prompted uproar in the Dáil today, with Mr Ring the most vociferous critic.

He said the Government had promised when ending the dual mandate that TDs would be spending more time in the Dáil, but the opposite had happened due to lengthy recesses being foisted on TDs by the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition.

This is an absolute joke. How the hell can they justify this? When I was in school we got a maximum of two days off for St Patrick's Day. I'm pretty sure it's the same nowadays. St Patrick's Day is on a Friday this year so I imagine most schools will consider giving kids Thursday and Friday off, or else Friday and Monday, but a week? Not a chance.

I have spoken about the disgraceful breaks here on UI before. In January I posted about how Fine Gael and Labour TDs wanted an increase in the number of sitting days.

If you think a week off for Paddy's Day is a bit much though, bear in mind that these TDs get five weeks off for Christmas and that they returned from their Christmas break this year on the 25th of January!

Of course this year the Easter Rising parade makes a return. I suppose they will give themselves a month off for that. You know, to attend various events across the world and all that.

And they wonder why Irish people are so apathetic towards politics!

How would you describe me? Would it be in any way similar to Sinn Féin councillor Killian Forde's description?:

"a (sic) entertaining writer with a strong jingoistic view. obsessive hatred of sinn féin."

Ouch.

I must say I think that's very harsh Mr Forde, but you're entitled to your opinions all the same!

Not a fan

This might be the last ever edition of United Irelander's 'What If'? Wednesday feature (now, now, don't cry) so with that being said, I figured I should focus on the main issue of this site - a United Ireland.

The term 'United Ireland' means different things to different people. Daltún O'Ceallaigh discusses that in his book, Britain & Ireland: Sovereignty & Nationality, when he states:

"..."united Ireland" has almost become a meaningless term. This is because it is used by different people to cover quite a disparate range of constitutional or political arrangements. For example, "united Ireland" for nationalists can signify a unitary Irish republic, a federation, a confederation, and, in the latter two instances, with all sorts of variation as to component parts and respective powers."

In light of this I thought I would put the following hypothetical question to you all:

What if a United Ireland was set to become a reality? How should it function?

My own view is that a federal solution would be best. I would be open to allowing a parliament for Ulster and, ideally, parliaments for the other three provinces if that proved feasible. I think a federal system would be best though with large powers devolved to Ulster. A parliament in Dublin could meet to discuss issues that affect the entire island but I would be in favour of Dublin keeping out of Ulster's affairs for the most part.

Obviously I would favour a republican system of government but I would be open to involvement from the British monarchy for the benefit of unionists and I wouldn't object to Ireland being part of the Commonwealth.

That's my view. What are your own thoughts on a United Ireland?

If Michael McDowell was to show the same vigour in tackling Irish criminals as he has shown in tackling the Provisional IRA, this country would be a semi-utopian society.

Alas, crime seems more problematic than ever and Mr McDowell seems unwilling to do what is required to bring it under control.

Today he ruled out the prospect of tougher sentencing in the wake of the murder of Donna Carey in Dublin at the weekend, despite calls from the Taoiseach.

Yesterday, Bertie Ahern told the Dáil that he would like to see tougher sentencing to ensure a person sent to prison for life is never released back into society.

However, speaking in Dublin today, Mr McDowell said it would be wrong to tear up current policy in response to one single incident:

"There are some people who are in prison at the moment who I don't propose to release in any foreseeable circumstance but there are other people for whom the prospect of rehabilitation is a good thing.

"You don't change your entire penal policy based on one incident, no matter how awful or grotesque or harrowing that incident may be."

It's hardly one incident though, is it? Why can't 'life in jail' mean life in jail? Let's put paid to this nonsense where murderers are released after a decade, give or take.

The primary purpose of imprisonment should be to punish the offenders for their wrongs in society. Capital punishment is not seen as a deterrent in this country but neither are the paltry sentences dished out to those who maim and kill.

On a related note, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny launched a blistering attack on the Justice Minister's performance in the wake of Ms Cleary's death. He said the rate of serious crime had increased under Mr McDowell's watch, while crime detection rates had also deteriorated over the same period.

"If he survives until next year, he will be the Minister for Justice who will have presided over 500,000 headline crimes," Mr Kenny said.

Well said, Mr Kenny. McDowell needs to do the right thing here. He needs to send a strong message out to Ireland's criminal elements that if they cross society, society will not go easy on them.

"It is in justice that the ordering of society is centered." - Aristotle

I see the Government has announced Sunday, April 23, as the date for this year’s census.

The survey, which normally takes place every five years, is being held just four years after the previous one in 2002.

Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt said a number of new questions would be included this year covering areas such as female fertility, ethnicity, volunteer activities and access to the internet.

I'm surprised at this. I didn't think we would have a census this year.

Personally, I can't wait to put down what a fluent Irish speaker I am.

Is maith liom Gaeilge!

On Monday I posted about how the Taoiseach wanted to have unionists involved in this year's 1916 Rising commemorations. I stated that I would like to see them participate but that I couldn't see it happening and that I would respect whatever decision they made on the matter. However, what I hadn't counted on was the fact that unionist politicians would come out and basically slag off the event in pathetic fashion. Unionists like Michael Copeland.

I figured I would give my thoughts on some of Mr Copeland's feelings towards the Easter Rising:

"The Easter insurgency which took place during the Great War led to the death of approximately 30 rebels, 200 British servicemen and over 200 innocent Dublin citizens".

Notice how the British thus avoid all blame through Mr Copeland's view that the insurgency led to the deaths? Basically it's a cute way of ensuring that the British become exempt from any criticism. I wonder does the same apply to Bloody Sunday? After all it was an illegal march so applying the same logic, had it not taken place, the marchers wouldn't have died. Is that a fair assessment of things?

Mr Copeland should read up on Captain Bowen Colthurst, later described as mentally unstable, who during the Rising shot dead six people in cold blood, including the pacifist Francis Sheehy-Skeffington.

As well as that the South Staffordshire regiment bayoneted innocent Irish civilians during the Rising and there were other incidents of British brutality towards civilians on the day. Many of the revisionists choose to overlook this though as it doesn't suit their agenda to point out that bloodshed occurred as a result of the British.

"It took place at a time when 300,000 Irishmen of all religions were serving as volunteers in the British army, 50,000 of whom gave their lives."

Indeed it did but this gives the impression that unionism itself was a beacon of immeasurable loyalty. Sadly, historical facts ensure that things aren't that clear-cut. I'll let Michael Laffan, Professor of History at UCD, explain in his book, The Partition of Ireland 1911-1925, (which I highly recommend by the way):

"They (the unionists) saw their relationship with Britain as a contract which could not be altered without their consent, a contract which transcended the opinions of electorates and the fluctuations of parliamentary majorities. They made it clear that they would not be bound by the result of any election or plebiscite on the home rule question...Ulstermen who were genuinely proud of their devotion to the king and the union jack were prepared to rise in rebellion, and at least some of them, including men such as (Frank) Crawford, were ready to welcome William II of Germany as their deliverer just as their ancestors had welcomed William III of Holland. Such an attitude was perfectly logical for a people who saw themselves as children of the 'glorious revolution' of 1688. There were more radical or light-hearted alternatives to George V ; Saunderson had declared his preference to Russian rule to that of a Dublin parliament while F. E. Smith chose Constantinople and the sultan of Turkey."

I guess unionists and the 1916 rebels weren't as different as some would have us believe! Food for thought, eh?

"It heralded the end of the long and honourable tradition of constitutional Irish nationalism and brought to the fore the blood sacrifice ethos of armed republicanism which led directly to the partition of this island and the Irish Civil War."

Three things need addressing here. First of all, partition had been discussed prior to the Rising. Second of all, the 'blood sacrific ethos' was an ethos shared right across Europe including amongst the unionists, some of whom signed the Ulster Covenant in their own blood and who saw glory in 'dying for King and country'. Thirdly, the 'honourable tradition of constitutional Irish nationalism' was directly challenged by the unionists and the Conservatives! Laffan in his book quotes a unionist MP who at the time claimed:

"ten thousand pounds spent on rifles would be a thousand times stronger than the same amount spent on meetings, speeches and pamphlets."

Let us also not forget the Tories and specifically Bonar Law's declaration in 1912 that if Home Rule were to proceed, unionists:

"would be justified in resisting such an attempt by all means in their power, including force … if such an attempt is made, I can imagine no length of resistance to which Ulster can go in which I should not be prepared to support them."

Even more despicably, Laffan quotes this comment from Bonar Law on the prospect of bloodshed in Ulster:

"from a party point of view that would be advantageous to us."

I would suggest to Mr Copeland that he stop viewing Irish history in such a narrow fashion as he does presently. Ours is not a history that can be whittled down to orange = good, green = bad and vice-versa.


Remove the blinkers, Copeland!










I must say I'm saddened and disappointed at Mr Copeland's comments. They display an all too comfortable and content ignorance towards certain aspects of this island's troubled past.

No doubt Mr Copeland will be ready, sash and all, this summer for the marches in commemoration of the Battle of the Boyne where many Irish Catholics were slaughtered. No doubt the hypocrisy of such a stance will be lost on him.

I really wish unionists would show more respect towards the nationalist people. As much as I detest what the Orange Order embodies you don't see me seeking to deny them their right to celebrate their history. In fact, the Irish Republic has made great strides in recent years in reaching out to unionists over the Battle of the Boyne. If unionists don't wish to do something similar in relation to the Easter Rising, fair enough. But don't try and crap all over the event and badmouth it.

Is showing a little respect too much to ask?

I'll let you all in on a little secret - I've found myself listening to alot of classical music lately. Now I may not know classical music very well but I know what I like and I thought I'd share with you what I personally consider to be the top ten classical music pieces out there. So without further ado:

1. Dance of the Knights - This is perhaps the greatest musical piece ever made in my view. I remember Nasa sent a probe into space years ago that had information about humans on it in case any aliens happened to intercept it. I think they put a piece by Mozart on it. In my view they should have put this piece by prokofiev on it as it would have scared the bejaysus out of them.

2. Largo - Very melodious piece and very soothing

3. Peer Gynt Suite: Morning Wood - Another melodious offering. Easy to drift off to sleep with this one.

4. Nessun Dorma - Conjures up thoughts of football this one but I think it's still a great song.

5. March of the Toreadors - This piece is great and makes you want to get up and march about yourself. (Or maybe that's just me...)

6. Carmina Burana - O Fortuna - This one could have been sent on the space probe too. A resounding piece of music.

7. Thus Spake Zarathustra: Sunrise - This is renowned for being used in the film 2001: A Space Oddysey. A great score.

8. Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 - This piece is renowned for being used in the film Platoon and is another great score, though it's quite sad.

9. The Great Gate of Kiev - I like this piece alot. Sounds very majestic.

10. Die Walkure: Ride of the Valkyries - Very dramatic piece this one. Another good score.

So there you have it. The top ten classical music pieces as chosen by me. Have I left out any great songs here? Do you recommend checking out any other pieces? Feel free to comment on my choices or to offer up some of your own.

I was shocked to hear that one of the five people arrested in Co Kildare in connection with the horrific murder of Dublin mother-of-one Donna Cleary in Coolock two days ago, has died this morning whilst in Garda custody.

The Labour Party has called for an independent investigation into the death.

A Chief Superintendent has been appointed to investigate his death however Labour TD Joe Costello has said that this is not sufficient and that the matter should be handed over to the new Garda Ombudsman Commission.

Three of the five were taken to Santry Garda Station but the deceased man along with another man was brought to Coolock.

Gardaí say he complained of headaches and being unwell a number of times throughout the day yesterday and was seen and treated by a doctor three times.

He felt unwell again at around 9pm last night and was taken to Beaumont Hospital where he was treated and released back into garda custody.

However at around 3am an ambulance was called to Coolock and the young man was taken back to Beaumont Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3.15am.

Three men and one woman are still being questioned in connection with the murder.

Ms Cleary, who was 22, was shot dead when three men opened fire on a house at Adare Green in Coolock after being refused entry to a birthday party.

This is certainly a very puzzling situation. The murder of Ms Cleary was disgraceful but questions need to be asked about how and why this suspect died whilst in the hands of the police.

I would agree with Joe Costello that an independent investigation into the death is warranted.

I found these comments interesting from Joseph Lee, Professor of Modern History at University College Cork, in his book The Modernisation of Irish Society, 1848-1918. It's taken from the chapter on 'Physical force unionism':

"It is true that (John) Redmond was prepared to make what he considered generous concessions towards Scotch-Irish susceptibilities, virtually amounting to 'home rule within home rule', as long as the Ulster unionists acknowledged ultimate allegiance to the sovereignty of a Dublin parliament. But Redmond forgot that it was not equality, but superiority, the orangeman claimed as his birthright. And home rule, however generous the 'special considerations' for unionists, certainly threatened a fatal blow at the master-race syndrome. This was the essence of the Ulster question, and as long as the Scotch-Irish were prepared to fight in defence of their ascendancy no peaceful solution was possible. Occasional deviations from the straight and narrow of unionist orthodoxy - like T. H. Sloan's Independent Orange movement - on which nationalists and socialsits seized with pathetic determination to rescue unionists from their deluded selves, were more likely to represent reactions against official unionist 'softness' on Catholics than the reverse. (p. 134)

"On 28 September 1912 nearly a quarter of a million Protestant men pledged in the Solemn League and Covenant to resist home rule by any means. The Scotch-Irish yielded nothing to nationalists in the tenancity of their historical memories. The document was modelled on a sixteenth century covenant, the traditional Presbyterian technique of reminding God whose side he was on. Clergymen of all Protestant persuasions played prominent roles in organising the covenant, for however much ministers might appear to dominate their congregations they, like their Catholic counterparts, had to follow their flocks or be left stranded.

"The fundamnetal unionist objective was to preserve not only Ulser, but Ireland, from home rule. Compelled to abandon this objective, they next demanded the exclusion of the nine counties of Ulster from the bill. Reminded that Nationalists had a majority in five of the nine counties, they then decided to claim as much of Ulster as they could be sure of holding, reassured by the silly but widespread belief that Southern Ireland could not survive economically without the north-eastern counties. Partition schemes were tossed about, mainly by English liberals struggling to escape from the dilemma...The nationalists, refusing to contemplate partition at all, had no contingency plans, and ignored the opportunity for effective manoeuvre on the precise location of the border in their refusal to concede the principle. They thus squandered the possibility of a four-county border, as proposed by the Liberal Agar-Robartes in June 1912, which Carson, if only for tactical reasons, accepted. (p. 135/136)

Your thoughts?

I imagine most of you are familiar with the 'Phony War', the point in time in the months following Germany's invasion of Poland in World War 2 where there was relatively little fighting. Well, it seems to me like we're all in the midst of a 'phony' situation ourselves at this point in time - a phony political process.

It has recently emerged that the British government has postponed talks that were to have taken place between Irish and British ministers and the north’s political parties from this week.

They were to have met at Stormont on Wednesday – the date some of you may recall was set some weeks ago by the North's Secretary of State Peter Hain as a deadline for a first stage agreement on possible rule changes for a future Assembly.

The talks are off because Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair are meeting in London on Wednesday and Peter Hain and Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern are expected to be attending.

In Belfast however, there was a suspicion calling off the talks had more to do with a lack of progress than anything else. Last month Mr Blair pulled out of an expected visit to Belfast to meet he parties – again because there was little or no sign of a breakthrough in the political impasse.

Ulster Unionist Party leader Reg Empey said he was not surprised the Belfast talks had been cancelled:

"It was no surprise to learn that the first deadline of the present talks will come and go on Wednesday without it being a deadline at all."

"Wednesday’s meetings between the parties, Peter Hain and Dermot Ahern are to be cancelled. While an embarrassment for the government it was better to call ’time out’ on what was becoming a process that did not have the support of most of the parties."

His party had warned the British government not to start its search for a new breakthrough from the 2004 deal with Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionists which had failed and from which Sinn Féin was "rowing away from as fast as possible".

A more strategic approach was needed, he said, expressing the hope that the Ahern-Blair meeting would provide it.

A Downing Street spokesman said the north’s parties would not be invited to take part in the Wednesday meeting and there was little likelihood of either a joint British-Irish news conference or statement afterwards.


Space available - not cheap







The situation certainly looks bleak in Ireland's north right now. It feels as if I haven't posted on the North in a while and that's because, to be blunt, there's nothing really to post about. The North is entrenched in its political limbo and for the two governements it must feel more like hell.

Where is the sense of leadership from the North's parties? We all know that the DUP don't want progress but surely the other parties could come together and show some resolve? It's amazing to think that these people are elected representatives - elected presumably to show leadership - and yet they are waiting around for Dublin and London to think of something.

On the one hand this makes me very angry but on the other hand I can't help but feel fed up about the whole thing. This sense of apathy seems to be shared by Mr Blair and you can't help but feel that both Blair and Ahern are getting sick and tired of the political mess in the North that they have both spent so much of their time and energy on.

The North is crying out for a glimmer of hope, a light at the end of the tunnel, but dark clouds continue to hang ominously over Stormont.

The Phony War didn't last too long and as we know eventually the world witnessed conflict on a scale which had never been seen before.

One wonders though how long the North's phoney politial process will go on for. Ultimately, will a lasting political situation be found and if so, what will it be?

What's clear is that those dark clouds looming over Stormont don't appear to be moving any time soon. The forecast is not good.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern intends to link the planned commemorations of the 1916 Rising and the Battle of the Somme in an attempt to encourage unionists to participate in both events, the Sunday Independent reports.

The Taoiseach's initiative is seen as significant after riots forced the abandonment of the Love Ulster parade in Dublin last weekend.

The Sunday Independent has revealed interesting information on the cause of the riots as well as Ahern's efforts to reach out towards unionists:

"The Sunday Independent can reveal that calls to engage in violence to stop the Northern Protestant marchers were posted on an extreme republican website last December.

"Gardai now believe that responsibility for the rioting lies with a group of violent young 'republicans' who split from Republican Sinn Fein last year.

"The break-away group has been attracting dozens of teenagers, in Dublin and the North, where they congregate under the guise of Celtic soccer supporters.

"Yesterday Mr Ahern told the Sunday independent that while his Government was aware that unionists may not wish to attend his planned joint commemorations of the Rising and the Battle of the Somme, he hoped his invitations would be "recognised for the spirit of friendship and mutual respect in which they are extended".

"There is a distinct possibility, however, that some unionist politicians, many of whom are also members of the Orange Order, will take up Mr Ahern's offer. It could result in the potent symbolism of an Orange sash on the reviewing stand outside the GPO during the Rising commemorations next month.

"Mr Ahern also said that his Government was "looking at ways of accommodating" the 'Love Ulster' group in its "need to have its voice heard in Dublin".

"It is understood the Government is considering the establishment of a forum, possibly at Dublin Castle, where the group can express its views and feelings."

"The Taoiseach told the Sunday Independent: "The Irish Government is committed to respecting all traditions on this island equally.

"It also recognises that developing a greater understanding of our shared history, in all of its diversity, is essential to developing greater understanding and building a shared future.

"The Government has announced plans to mark the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising in Dublin at Easter and to mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme with a ceremony at the war memorial in Islandbridge on July 1. These events will be complemented by other events to mark these anniversaries, such as recently announced commemorative stamps.

"These initiatives form part of an overall programme that reflects the shared history and shared experience of the people of this island, from all traditions, in the year of 1916.

"It has been the practice to invite representatives from all walks of life in Northern Ireland to State occasions. This is a gesture of both friendship and respect.

"The Irish Government will invite Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Northern Ireland to attend the commemorations for the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising and of the Battle of the Somme.

"The Government is, of course, aware that representatives of the unionist tradition in Northern Ireland may not wish to attend some or indeed all of these events. It is equally recognised that the events being commemorated are very important to many people in Northern Ireland.

"It is hoped that the invitations will be recognised for the spirit of friendship and mutual respect in which they are extended and that both traditions on the island will participate in at least some of the programme being developed."

It's good to see things are progressing nicely in relation to tracking down those responsible for the Dublin riots. As for the Taoiseach's efforts to get unionists involved, I think it's a sensible thing to do although I remain sceptical about whether or not there will be much interest in it from the unionist community. Still, it is important to at least try. After all, when the commemorations take place in April in Dublin there will be Polish people, Chinese people, Nigerians etc. all lining up to watch the events so I hardly think unionists would be out of place. While it is an event marking 1916, the onus should be on reflecting the diversity of the Irish Republic here in the 21st century.

I also support efforts to mark the Battle of the Sommes and I would certainly hope to see unionists taking part in these commemorations which ought to transcend nationalism and unionism and which are incredibly significant to all of us.

My own view is that very few if any unionists will take up the offer to participate in the marking of 1916, although I think unionists will agree to mark the Battle of the Sommes commemorations at Islandbridge. I would like to see unionists take part in the Easter Rising commemorations but I understand that it's a difficult and complex situation and I would respect whatever decision they come to.

I personally see the parades marking the 90th anniversary of the Rising passing off peacefully and I think they will provide a good day out for the people of Ireland. I hope that this is the case anyway.

"The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there." - L.P. Hartley

It's 25 years since the Hunger Strikes took place and there's an excellent article in The Guardian by Melanie McFadyean, which can be read here, which details the great suffering these men went through.

Seven of the surviving Hunger Strikers agreed to be interviewed: Laurence McKeown, Paddy Quinn, Pat Sheehan, Jackie McMullan, Brendan McLaughlin, Gerard Hodgins and Brian (not his real name - his workmates know nothing of his past and his job takes him to loyalist areas).

I found Paddy Quinn's story particularly horrific:

"The first hunger strikers had what became known as the Five Demands: the right not to wear prison uniform, the right not to do penal work, the right to associate freely with other prisoners, the right to get one visit, one letter and one parcel a week, and the restoration of the remission lost on protest. Quinn joined the fast in June, by which time four men were already dead - Sands, Francis Hughes, Raymond McCreesh and Patsy O'Hara.

On his 19th day, Quinn was taken to the prison hospital. There he heard Joe McDonnell dying and his wife, Goretti, weeping. He remembers Martin Hurson's death on July 13: "I could hear his brother shouting, 'Martin! Martin!' I could hear Martin saying that the lights were out. Then it went quiet. The next day they put me into Martin's cell."

By that time Quinn couldn't keep even water down. "Maybe it crossed your mind to go off the hunger strike, but I wouldn't give up. You always had this thought - Maggie Thatcher wasn't going to criminalise me. Some time around then I came round in the intensive care unit. My lips were swollen, chapped and cut. They said I'd been biting them. I remember hyperventilating, my heart was going that fast, I could hear the scraping and screeching of the blood on the back of my brain, I could feel this terrible pain. A medical orderly was helping me to breathe, but I was hallucinating that the screws were trying to kill me, I could hear the noise in my throat, gasping for breath. You were watching the deterioration of your own body, thinking, 'I have to do this; I'm going to keep going.' It was just pain, day after day. Then one day I went for a shower, I collapsed in the shower, then there was the sickness.

"I remember looking at the jug of water and repeating to myself, 'I'm going to keep it down.' And it did stay down. That's when the walking stopped, I was in a wheelchair. My eyes had gone, all I could see were shadows. I had reached that point that I was looking forward to death. I felt a real sense of contentment. I had accepted I was going to die and I was happy with my decision. That was maybe after 43 days, in and out of consciousness at that stage."

Quinn had told his mother not to take him off the hunger strike when he lapsed into coma: "I says, 'You either back me or you back Maggie Thatcher.' I was weak, it was hard to talk, and she said there was no point going on with it."

Six of the seven Hunger Strikers support the current state of affairs but one, Brendan McLaughlin, does not:

"Only one of the men fails to welcome the political path taken by the republican movement. Brendan McLaughlin is still fighting the war in his head. He was on the hunger strike for 20 days, but had to abandon it due to a perforated ulcer. He is confined to a wheelchair in his council house in Gobnascail near Derry after a stroke six years ago. His fresh-faced 12-year-old son comes in and out. McLaughlin's former wife lives a few houses along but they're barely speaking. He's not complaining about that, he's complaining about Gerry Adams. "The Brits have no right to be in this country, never have, never will. McGuinness, Adams, I know 'em all - scum bastards. I fought for a 32-county republic, a united Ireland. They're selling out. I'll never change. The war will never end."

Sheehan disagrees: "There is no need for the IRA any longer. I grew up in a state that was unjust and oppressive. I was vulnerable to attacks because of the area I grew up in. I am proud that I took up arms; I believed it was the right thing to do. The situation is a lot different now."

None of the men however have regrets over the Hunger Strikes...

"Winning leaves you OK," says McKeown. "They tried to criminalise us but failed - they politicised us."

I've closed the poll which has been up for the past week on United Irelander which asked the question in relation to last weekend's riots:

In hindsight, should the march have gone ahead?

The results were:

Yes, I still feel it should have gone ahead - 58% (31 votes)

No, it was a poor decision by the authorities - 42% (22 votes)

I personally voted that it was a poor decision by the authorities but it seems most of you feel that the march still should have been allowed take place.

What can I say? That's democracy!

It was on this day, 5th March, 1867, that the Fenian Rising began in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.

The picture to your left is the police station at Tallaght in Dublin in 1867. This was the scene of the 'Battle of Tallaght' which took place between the police and the Dublin Fenians.

The 1867 Rebellion ultimately failed for a number of reasons. Despite the fact that they were a secret oath-bound society, the Fenians' plans were betrayed to the authorities who were fully aware of what was about to take place and were prepared for the event. In addition, several Fenian leaders had been arrested prior to the insurrection. O’Donovan Rossa had been arrested in 1865 at a time when he was also manager of "The Irish People". Plans, which were haphazard to say the least, were also frequently mis-interpreted or failed to reach those for whom they were intended, and, to crown it all, there was a heavy snowstorm on the night of the uprising, causing chaos and making communication between the various groups extremely difficult. Add to that the fact that the insurgents were poorly armed and very few had any experience of how to wage war.

The failure of the Rising on March 5th was sealed when General Massey of the Fenians was captured at Limerick Junction, after an informer supplied the British Army with information about the rebellion. Massey too told the British everything he knew, and the day was lost.

Eventually most of the leaders of the rebellion were arrested by the authorities and the trials of Charles J. Kickham, O'Donovan Rossa, John O'Leary and Thomas Clarke Luby caused huge uproar in Ireland when renowned (and widely hated) conservative Catholic judge William Keogh was appointed to try their cases. Called "the solo-trombone in the Pope's brass band," his appointment meant a completely unfair trial for those accused.

Their counsel, Isaac Butt, who went on to become the first Home Rule leader, presented a case which centred around the fact that the men saw Ireland as an independent state from Britain and that they viewed armed uprising as the only means of attaining this objective.

Following the 1867 uprisings many leaders were captured,tried and sentenced to death, but this was usually commuted to ‘transportation’ to Australia. Despite the failure of 1867, the influence of the Fenians (IRB) actually increased and they would play a prominent part in Irish history over the next half century, particularly in the lead up to, and the acting out of, the Rising of 1916.


Fenian leaders
















I think this event in history, which occurred today 139 years ago, is an important point in Irish history as it showed the British authorities that not everyone in Ireland was satisfied with the status quo. Also, many of the 1916 Rising leaders would be heavily influenced by the men of '67 such as O'Donovan Rossa, who bridged a link, in their eyes at least, between groups like the United Irishmen and Young Ireland and who carried on the legacy of Irish republicanism.

I think it's important that we acknowledge the 1867 rebellion as it tends to be overlooked in favour of the 1916 Rising and the United Irish rebellion but I feel it is just as important as it carried on the republican tradition. I'll finish with these inspiring words from the dock by Thomas Clarke Luby, who was sentenced to 20 years of Penal Servitude, as I feel they are relevant to events which were to come later in Ireland:

"I believe the majority of my countrymen this minute, if, instead of my being tried before a petty jury, who, I suppose, are bound to find according to British law - if my guilt or innocence was to be tried by the higher standard of eternal right, and the case was put to all my countrymen - I believe this moment the majority of my countrymen would pronounce that I am not a criminal, but that I have deserved well of my country. When the proceedings of this trial go forth into the world, people will say the cause of Ireland is not to be despaired of, that Ireland is not yet a lost country - that as long as there are men in any country prepared to expose themselves to every difficult and danger, in its service, prepared to brave captivity, even death itself, if need be, that country cannot be lost. With these words, I conclude."

I see Willie Frazer and the rest of the Love Ulster organisers have said it is possible that they will return to the Irish capital, although UTV reports that this will require assurances from the Government that there will not be a repeat of the violence as well as, bizarrely, a visit from the British Queen. Eh?

I stated here why I feel the marchers should be invited back to Dublin but I'm sad to see Willie Frazer up to his usual tricks. Listen to some of his comments in relation to coming back to Dublin:

"We would like to go back as soon as possible.

"But there is a lot of questions that are going to have to be answered by members of the Dail.

"We want reassurances from them. We don't want to have people batoned off the streets of Dublin so we can parade down through Dublin.

"The sectarianism and the bitterness that is there is going to have to be dealt with and it is down to the people of Southern Ireland and the people in Dublin. If they are going to support the Republican Movement, they are sending a quite clear message out to people like ourselves: We support the people who were out on the streets of Dublin last Saturday.

"They have to realise the consequences of that. They can't say they want to be our neighbour and live happily ever after and support the people who were out on the streets of Dublin."

UTV's article goes on to say that Frazer said he "accepted the people in the Republic had been appalled by the violence" yet when one looks at his comments above, it's almost as if he thinks the rioters reflect the people of the Republic as a whole and that we need to be taught lessons in tolerance!

It seems like Mr Frazer is deliberately making this parade more and more political. Why would that be? I'm sure you can make up your own minds about that one.

On a similar note, UTV report that "Republican Sinn Fein have vowed to hold a protest if another rally is permitted to take place. RSF Vice President, Des Dalton is accusing FAIR of provoking violence by seeking to re-run the march".

The way I look at it, if Republican Sinn Féin hold another protest then they are the ones provoking violence.

The rioters brought great shame on the Irish state's image last weekend. This cannot be allowed to happen again.

Even if the Irish Army have to police the parade, we must ensure that peace wins the day.

I just caught the end of the debate on RTE's The Late Late Show where the Easter Rising was discussed. How disappointing that we have so many people in this country who buy into the bullshit spouted by the revisionists! Thankfully there were people there who were proud of the Rising and looking forward to the parade this year but there were a fair few intellectuals from D4 in the studio bemoaning the awful attitude the 1916 rebels showed to the country that invaded us, conquered us and denied us our rights for so long. Aw shucks!

Some of the arguments put forth by the anti-Rising brigade, who I will now nickname 'the downers' (Get it? Rise/Down? Oh never mind), are truly silly beyond belief. Take this old chestnut, uttered tonight by a couple of people, that the Easter Rising was a bad thing because it had 'no mandate'. Well I have three things to say to the 'no mandate' downers...

1. It was a REVOLUTION. Most revolutions don't have mandates. The rebels couldn't exactly go around Dublin and canvass for an armed revolt against the state!

2. Did the Brits have a mandate when they took Irish land in the first place and when they made the natives settle elsewhere? No.

3. Forget the fact that the rebels had no mandate, Ireland had no parliament! The majority of the Irish population had sought Home Rule since the late 19th century and yet as late as 1912, and again in 1913, the unelected House of Lords were denying it to the people of Ireland! Was self-government a right or a privilege? Was it fair that the Irish people should have to wait until the British deemed it acceptable for the Irish to run their own affairs? I say hell no! The British had messed the Irish around for far too long and the 1916 rebels felt enough was enough and so decided to take authority by force if the British continued to oppress.

The mandate argument thus is a microcosm of the downer's anti-Rising beliefs in general. In other words, idiotic in the extreme!

This is one Irish citizen who is very much looking forward to this year's 1916 commemorations.

God save Ireland!

The following post was written by Parnell. I thank him for his contribution.

Tyrone Elephants On The Drink Again

Some news stories you just can't make up. Take the case of a visiting extravaganza in Omagh. They had to bring in fire fighters to supply water for two African elephants weigh six tons each. It appears they need 500 litres of water each morning or they become distraught. When the elephant’s water tank froze on Wednesday night after a severe frost the firemen received an emergency trumpet call, to supply substitute water to keep the elephants happy. They now have adequate water until Friday when it is hoped the weather will improve.

Parnell

Parnell blogs regularly at El Blogador.com.

If you'd like to contribute an article to United Irelander for a Weekend Post, on any subject you like, email:

unitedirelanderfeedback -at- yahoo.com (change "-at-" to "@")

I thought this video was quite funny.

Say hello to the Urban Ninja!

If you like Trigger Happy TV then you should enjoy it.

What's the deal with all this snow we're getting here in Ireland? Isn't this supposed to be Spring? I'm not sure how long this cold snap is going to last but wouldn't it be weird if it snowed on St Patrick's Day? Has that ever happened before in this country? Some clever clogs out there knows the answer to that I'm sure!

Snow isn't universally liked of course, my dog isn't too fond of it let me tell you, but I must confess to being a big fan of the snow. It doesn't happen that much here in Ireland, well not in Dublin anyway, so when it does occur I find it pretty exciting.

After all, snowy days give us memories to last a lifetime.

I remember for example when I was nine or ten hitting this girl in the face with a snowball and making her upset because apparently "it had a stone in it".

Plus there was the time when I was a kid and my father and I had a snowball fight where he absolutely blasted me in the face, smack-dab in the eye, causing me to cry about it to my mother while he laughed his arse off at me.

Or the great day when I went in to school one snowy morning only to be told by the Vice-Principal that the heating wasn't working and that we were thus off for the day. We ran out of that schoolyard faster than an Orange Order member runs out of a Catholic ceremony.

So many memories...

Alas, it doesn't seem like the current snowfall will stick unfortunately but at least it makes the scenery that little bit more beautiful.

I think that's something we can all appreciate. Except my dog.

Menzies Campbell was this week elected the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.

He secured 29,697 of the votes from party members, defeating his nearest rival Chris Huhne, who won 21,628.

Let us all wish Menzies Campbell well as Lib Dem leader in his battle against a truly formidable opponent - Britain's First Past The Post system.

In other news, Michael Jackson has sparked further speculation he is on the verge of converting to Islam, after pledging to erect a mosque in his adopted home of Bahrain.

The star's spokeswoman Raymone Bain says: "Michael is looking to give something back to the country that has welcomed him so openly."

This is just a suggestion but maybe he could try not converting to Islam?

And in other news, The 'Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education' said it was "stunned" that proposals for four integrated schools have been turned down by Education Minister Angela Smith. The plans were for schools in Clogher Valley, Moira/Hillsborough, Saintfield and funding an existing independent primary school in Ballycastle. Ms Smith said the new schools have been proposed for areas which already have surplus capacity.

I must say I favour integrated schooling but we must be careful about the education kids receive. It should be as balanced as possible rather than a biased interpretation of events. Take for example this unionist book I found (cough) called A Unionist History by I M Right. Just look at its chronology of events:

- Ireland up to 16th century - Here be savages
- Plantations, 17th century - Savages fixed; Ireland saved
- Famine, 1840s - Bad food. Brits not to blame
- Home Rule proposed, late 19th century - Dirty Papish plot
- Home Rule resisted late 19th, early 20th century - Smart move
- Violence threatened by brave UVF, 1912 - Those brave boys
- War in Europe, 1914 - Brave Ulstermen enlist. Some Fenians do too. Probably.
- Violence carried out in Dublin, 1916 - Shame on them! We would never have done that!
- War in south, 1919 - They're savages again. Time to split. Literally.
- 1920, Home Rule accepted - This was SO worth it!

Ah yes, history...ya gotta love it. Or not.

And now to wrap up with some of the key images of the week:

New suspects emerge in Dublin riots investigation (Thanks Toque)

One brave Sinn Féin MP promises to tackle the bigots head on next time.

As Steve Staunton's Ireland team gets off to flying start against Sweden, not everyone is impressed.

And finally, as the deadly bird flu spreads across Europe, one Irish figure contemplates the end.

There it is, folks. The news in brief.

"It is the entitlement and birthright of every person born in the island of Ireland, which includes its islands and seas, to be part of the Irish Nation" - Article 2 of the Irish constitution

Since I didn't get a chance to do my Thursday Thoughts feature I figured I would take the time to air my views here on the issue of whether or not the Love Ulster marchers should be invited back to Dublin.

My own view is that they should be invited back. I will explain why.

Those of you who are regular readers of United Irelander will know full well about my feelings towards Love Ulster. Indeed, I don't think it is too arrogant or too much of an exaggeration to say that no Irish blogger has taken as much of an interest in this group's activities as I have. Indeed, I have posted regularly on some of the sentiments echoed by the 'lovable scamps' on the Love Ulster forum. Since it's inception, which took place amidst support from groups like the Orange Order as well as loyalist paramilitaries, I have criticised the group and I objected to their plans to march in Dublin on the grounds that it was designed to be provocative rather than purposeful, insulting rather than informative, and triumphalist rather than tranquil. I still feel that it was designed to be all those things.

However, there is a more important issue at stake now.

Two wrongs do not make a right and instead of treating the parade with apathy and turning a blind eye to it, hundreds of thugs, regretfully, decided to come out on the streets and 'send the Prods home'. This disgraceful shower of thugs brought great shame on proper Irish republican ideals and left the image of Ireland badly damaged. While I initially felt the proposed Love Ulster parade was an abuse of freedom of speech I now feel in order for freedom of speech to be properly reinforced in this state, another parade should be held.

If the army have to be called out to enforce it so be it but I think I speak for most Irish people when I say that we abhorred the actions of the hoodlums last Saturday. My view is that if the marchers are willing to walk the route again that they should be allowed.

Last weekend the rioters stuck two fingers up at the unionist community and the wider nationalist community through their actions.

Now it's time for all of us to stick two fingers up at them and to allow the marchers to walk down the capital of the Irish REPUBLIC exemplifying basic REPUBLICAN values.

(PS On a related note, check out what happens when you type 'Love Ulster' into Google images)

My city of Dublin is apparently a sectarian, monolithic and mono-cultural city, and perhaps so too is my state according to this letter in the News Letter by Dr JE Hazlett Lynch, of the 'West Tyrone Voice'.

Yes it hasn't even been a week since the Dublin riots and already the spin doctors are out in force and trying to portray last week's incidents by the pondlife of Dublin (and parts of NI) as a reflection of the majority as a whole. Poor Dr Lynch was so shocked at the outbreak of a riot - something which never ever happens north of the border - that it's amazing he was even able to write his letter, but he has! Permit me to analyse parts of it:

"It is very disappointing that people from the Protestant/ unionist/ loyalist community cannot hold a parade in the capital city of the Republic without being subjected to sectarian treatment from people who are still utterly opposed to anything British, Protestant, or whatever, and supportive of everything republican, terrorist and criminal."

Well it is a shame that violence occurred, certainly.

"And given that the Agreement gave Dublin a say in what happened in Northern Ireland, it seemed proper that the unionist/ loyalist case be taken to that city."

That's funny, I thought part of the reason for the march was to basically tell Dublin and the people of Dublin that they had no right to have a say in what happens in Ireland's north.

"What happened last Saturday gave the lie to the idea that Dublin is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, nonsectarian city - quite the reverse. It has, sadly, demonstrated that it is a sectarian, monolithic and mono-cultural city, if not state."

Uh-oh, our secret's out! Actually I must admit I think those two Chinese people sitting in front of me on the bus today and the three Spanish guys at the back of the bus were saying the exact same thing...

"If the IRA campaign of terror and sectarianism is being justified by the great and the good, the very same reasons can be marshalled to justify the respondent backlash, were a united Ireland to be imposed on us, even with a democratic vote."

Um, why has the IRA been brought into this?

"A united Ireland has been put back and will not now be a runner for any unionist."

D'oh! It was just about to happen and everything before last Saturday, wasn't it? Now those people who don't even make up 1% of the Irish state's population have gone and scuppered everything!

"To their credit, those who wanted to march did not put one foot wrong, and thanks to the Garda, protection was afforded them."

The Garda - what state are they from again? The sectarian, monolithic and mono-cultural one, right?

"Sadly, they were unable to speak in Dublin because the sectarianism of that city could not be contained by the State forces."

Could it not? I've heard from people who were out on Saturday evening who said order had been restored by then...

"This should serve as a timely reminder to our politicians to withdraw their overtures to IRA/ Sinn Fein that would promise a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland with them."

Um, what? As I understand this, a riot conducted mostly by Dublin scangers is reason enough to destroy the idea of a United Ireland as well as a power-sharing executive in the North? Who knew these scumbags had such political clout?!

"Victims simply do not want the IRA in government in Northern Ireland, either locally or regionally, under the guise of Sinn Fein. What has such a goal to offer the innocent victims' community in Northern Ireland who suffered at their blood-stained hands?"

Yes this is all very relevant to the Dublin riots last weekend!

Dear oh dear. This sort of nonsense is wearing a bit thin. The riot was a sad day indeed for the majority of people on this island who are decent people so let's not start taking the piss with inane comments.

People are talking about how last Saturday's events will relate to the issue of partition. My own view is that last Saturday's events are more significant for the people south of the border than north of the border. In the south, people aren't used to this kind of thing and it has been somewhat of a wake-up call. Irish people are quite apathetic by nature and while the issue of the North has tended to be ignored by quite alot of people down here, it was thrust in people's faces by a minority of bigots and thugs. The issue was brought to the people.

My own opinion is that the people of the south will respond in a positive fashion to last Saturday's events and that it will lead to a strengthening of what constitutes proper republicanism amongst the Irish people.

In recent times, countries like France, America and Britain have suffered problems with race relations in recent times while Ireland has not. This is evidence to me that the majority of Irish people get what it means to be part of a republican society which "cherishes all the children of the nation equally".

If Dr Hazlett wishes to make silly and insulting comments after last Saturday's disappointing incident then he is, ironically, all the things that he professes to hate - sectarian, monolithic and mono-cultural.

Frank did a great job last week with his guest post on United Irelander and now you too can do the same!

Want to comment in detail on the Love Ulster riots last week? Want to comment on why a United Ireland is important? Or maybe why it isn't?

You have the power!

Just e-mail United Irelander at unitedirelanderfeedback -at- yahoo.com (change "-at-" to "@")

Feel the buzz of writing a post for United Irelander (a buzz I'm experiencing right now).

G'wan. You know you want to!

One is a member of a dastardly group bent on total domination...the other is Non, one of the bad guys from Superman II...













Non and UUP MLA Derek Hussey.

Separated at Birth? You decide.

Fact: "Only female bees work."

There's a lesson there, kids...

I've been reading an interesting book called 'The Making of Modern Irish History: Revisionism and the Revisionist Controversy' by D. George Boyce and Alan Day (you all know my feelings on revisionism) and in relation to interpretations of the Easter Rising I found these comments by the Unionist Arthur Aughey very refreshing as they show, in my opinion, a correct understanding of the Irish perception of the event. Aughey writes:

"In Northern Ireland, republicanism means armed struggle. It is characterised by a contempt for all political reform. It demands the sacrifice of the present generation for the salvation of future generations. It is committed to completing the unfinished business for the national revolution. It claims fidelity to the 'true' ideal of 1916, which gives it legitimacy that transcends any current institutional reform. This ideological throwback is an acute discomfort to the republican state, whose legitimacy transcends the 'true' ideal of 1916, and its citizens can well understand the distinction between a rebellion against the rule of a foreign power (as 1916 is currently interpreted in the Republic) and the use of the gun to force one million people to accept a destiny they have consistently denied."

It's great to see a Unionist with a grasp of what 1916 means to the Republic and who doesn't seek to berate us for wanting to commemorate the event on the 90th anniversary of its occurrence.

Proper republicans will indeed honour proper republicanism.

It was on this day, 1st of March, 1981, that Bobby Sands began his hunger strike at Long Kesh prison.

As I've remarked before on United Irelander, 2006 is a year of commemoration in this country. There is the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising as well as the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Sommes but as well as that, 2006 is significant as it is the 25th anniversary of the Hunger Strikes.

There has been alot of talk here in Ireland about how the Easter Rising will prove difficult for many people seeing as it's a controversial point in history. I must confess that I have no such difficulty in judging the Easter Rising as I am absolutely convinced it was the right course of action and I personally think the Rising can be justified.

The Hunger Strikes however are an event in our history that I must admit I have difficulty in judging. The reason I have difficulty in forming a concrete opinion on the Hunger Strikes is that they don't fit in easily with the general view of the Provisional IRA. Like most Irish people I oppose the campaign that the Provos waged during The Troubles. I can understand to an extent how and why it came about but I cannot support what I regard as criminal and terrorist acts.

However, I would struggle to brand Bobby Sands either a criminal or a terrorist. Here is a man who made the supreme sacrifice by laying down his life for his beliefs. I cannot help but respect that. I think Margaret Thatcher was heartless when she was British Prime Minister and I think that she should have certainly handled events during The Troubles alot better than she did. Those men didn't have to die.

Another reason the Hunger Strikes are such an emotive issue is due to the path Sinn Féin have travelled these past 25 years. If the Hunger Strikers, including Bobby Sands, could have known the path the party would eventually traverse, would they have done what they did in 1981? I'm not sure they would have which makes this a very difficult issue to deal with.

I'm sure the Hunger Strikes will be debated quite a bit this year but for now I'd simply like to take the time to pay tribute to Bobby Sands and to pay tribute to the bravery he showed 25 years ago. I have been looking over some of his poems which he wrote in prison and with it being the 1st day of March and with Ireland experiencing some unusually cold weather at this time of year, the following poem spoke to me and I felt it was an apt time to highlight it. It is called 'Weeping Winds'...

WEEPING WINDS

Oh! cold March winds your cruel laments
Are hard on prisoners’ hearts,
For you bring my mother’s pleading cries
From whom I have to part.
I hear her weeping lonely sobs
Her sorrows sweep me by,
And in the dark of prison cell
A tear has warmed my eye.

Oh! whistling winds why do you weep
When roaming free you are,
Oh! is it that your poor heart’s broke
And scattered off afar?
Or is it that you bear the cries
Of people born unfree,
Who like your way have no control
Or sovereign destiny?

Oh! lonely winds that walk the night
To haunt the sinner’s soul,
Pray pity me a wretched lad
Who never will grow old.
Pray pity those who lie in pain
The bondsman and the slave,
And whisper sweet the breath of God
Upon my humble grave.

Oh! cold March winds that pierce the dark
You cry in aged tones
For souls of folk you’ve brought to God
But still you bear the moans.
Oh! weeping wind this lonely night
My mother’s heart is sore
Oh! Lord of all breathe freedom’s breath
That she may weep no more.

RIP

I thought the Big Ulsterman himself made an important point in relation to last Saturday's riots over the Love Ulster parade:

"On a philosophical note, there's something strangely touching about the sight of Gardaí risking life and limb to protect northern Unionists."

Hear, hear. I don't know if any of you caught Monday's Questions and Answers programme on RTE but they discussed the events of the past weekend in some detail and a young man in the audience made what I thought was an excellent point when he stated that the people who rioted were not true republicans,that if anyone was on that day it was the Gardaí themselves. After all they were out there heroically fighting off these thugs who defiled our flag and who have no real understanding of what it symbolises. The Gardaí on Saturday were the embodiment of what that flag represents as they fought to keep the peace between green and orange.

They did Ireland proud and while I've only saluted the Gardaí sparingly since last Saturday I'd like to right now take the time to publicly thank the Gardaí for their actions.

I've heard that some of the rioters when they were attacking the Gardaí branded them 'Free State scum'. They're not. They're proper republicans.