Tuairisc ó Mheiriceá – Teorainn Fiachais!

Report from America - Debt Ceiling!

by | 2023/05/31 | Current Affairs, International News, Politics, Opinion

Report from America - Debt Ceiling!

When the United States Congress put a policy in place regarding the national debt limit long ago, they never intended it to be used as a political bone of contention. But that is exactly what happened! And on account of that, there is great uncertainty about the economic situation in the United States and around the world.

The national debt

Every year, the United States government has to borrow to meet its commitments. There are three spending streams in the country's budget:

Compulsory spending: The government is obliged to pay for social security, health care and retirement pensions for people who are entitled to them by law, including people over 65 and military veterans. The government would have to change the laws to reduce this expenditure. These programs are very popular with the majority of the public, so it would be controversial and politically difficult to make such changes. Compulsory spending is the largest part (63%) of the national budget.

Discretionary spending: Each year, the government (the Appropriations Committee) has to review this spending and then approve it. Half of this spending goes to the American military, and the other half to various programs such as: homeland security, education, transportation, research, food safety, science and space programs, disaster relief, environmental protection, public housing, and enforcement of the federal law. Discretionary spending uses around 30% of the national budget.

Supplementary expenditure: This expenditure (7% of the budget) is used to pay interest on the national debt each year. In the year 2023, it will cost 460 billion dollars to service the debt.

Debt Ceiling

Like many countries, the United States has to borrow money, because the federal government spends more money than it receives. Unlike almost every other country, the government limits the amount of money they are allowed to borrow. Because the annual budget deficit is increasing almost every year, congress has to raise the ceiling frequently. You'd think the government wouldn't be able to spend more money (than the ceiling) in the next budget, and that would be that – wouldn't you? Unfortunately, it's not that easy.

A long time ago, the government had to approve the expenditure associated with each bill, one by one. Therefore, the debt limit was first established in 1917 and with a few changes in 1939, so that the limit applied to the budget as a whole. This was done to make the process simpler and that was all very well until 1995 when unintended consequences occurred that no one had thought of before. I will come back to that point but I have to explain one thing first. The debt limit applies to the past year and the money already spent! That is the fundamental mistake with that approach, because this system can be abused, with one party demanding certain changes to the budget in return for raising the ceiling. Without a new ceiling, the government would not be able to pay the interest on the national loan, and the country would be in default and in trouble.

Things were not like that until Republican Chairman Newt Gingrich started using the debt limit as a weapon in 1995. He said that a new ceiling would not be passed until President Clinton made certain changes in the budget. Although Gingrich eventually backed down, he had done the damage and established the precedent.

Flash forward to today, and you will see Gingrich's legacy clearly! Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy is using the debt limit as a bargaining chip to demand a major reduction in the new budget.

Russian Roulette!

The Republican Party is playing Russian Roulette, and that is a dangerous game. Without a new debt limit, a global financial crisis would be created. That is an unacceptable risk, without question. Therefore, it is high time for the United States congress to put in place a new strategy and a new system to balance the budget. Let's hope they do the right thing. Otherwise, that debt limit will cause us to lose sleep!

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Céimeanna móra chun tosaigh – ach…!

Big steps forward – but…!

by | 2023/05/24 | Current Affairs, Language Affairs, International News, National News

Big steps forward – but…!

 

A step forward in the South!

The Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers announced a new era for Irish language courses last year. According to the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, the government had an obligation to ensure that 20% of recruits to public bodies were competent in Irish by 2030. Minister of State Chambers said: "It is great to see that certification of the Irish language courses offered to Civil Servants. This certification now provides a great opportunity for learners and employers alike as we all work towards our common goal of achieving the ambitious targets set out in the Act.”

A step forward in the North!

At the same time in the North, Irish received official legal status at the end of 2022, when King Charles III signed the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill. Unfortunately, Westminster had to pass the bill, because the government in Stormont was not going to do it.

"This is another historic day for the Irish-speaking community that the bill is now an official Act and has been put into law from today onwards," said Dr Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh, spokesperson for 'An Dream Dearg'.

A matter of Hope and Despair at the same time!

Despite the fact that the status of the Irish language is improving in law, other things are happening that go against the objectives of the same laws. Here are a few examples of recent steps back.

A step back in the South

The Minister of Education Norma Foley has announced that there will be a reduction in time, half an hour per week, for the teaching of Irish in English primary schools (most schools in the state) starting in 2025. An hour and three quarters per week will be spent on flexible time , and from Class 3 onwards, an hour on the teaching of modern foreign languages. Despite the facts Minister Foley claims that the new curriculum would "improve the acquisition" of Irish. Education expert Professor Pádraig Ó Duibhir examined all aspects of the story, and in particular the research carried out by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Council (CNCM) - part of the Department of Education itself. The Professor said that it was very clear from that research that there was a strong link between the reduction of teaching hours in Irish and the standard of Irish that the pupils achieve. "It makes me angry," said Professor Ó Duibhir referring to the Minister's statement on the matter. "I feel it is insulting to say that the time has been reduced but the students' abilities will improve. How is that acceptable?”

Minister Foley spent only 15 minutes in a meeting in Leinster House with advisers and representatives from the CNCM, to decide on all the changes planned for the primary school curriculum, both in Irish and mathematics. I have only one word to say about that: unacceptable!

A step back in the North

Widespread cuts to education services are taking place in the North, due to the UK government slashing its annual budget – or so it claims, anyway. Therefore, the Department of Education in the North intends to put an end to:

• Scéim Léargas (Derry). 1,600 children in Derry will lose their opportunity to learn Irish for an hour each week under this scheme.
• Glor na Mona (Belfast). Glór na Móna is a community center with 160 members, which operates through Irish in Uachtar Cluanaí in Belfast. Cultural events are organized services for the Irish community in the area.
• Ionad Uíbh Eachach (Belfast). This is a childcare center with 200 children receiving care through Irish, and it has 15 jobs associated with it.

It is scandalous that these cuts are taking place, with the Irish Language Act now passed. The government should make investments instead of cuts like that.

Conclusion

Just because an act has been passed does not mean it is in force. As Dr Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh said: "Don't be fooled, this new act is just another milestone on that great journey. We have not reached any destination, and the enormous work of implementing the provisions of this Act begins.”

We all have to keep pressure on our political representatives to implement the new laws, both in the North and South of this beautiful island!

Lá Bealtaine!

May Day!

by | 2023/05/10 | Current Affairs, National News, History

May Day!

On Lá Bealtaine (the 1st of May), it dawned on me that I didn't really know what was behind that great Celtic festival in Ireland. There is another festival that falls on May 1st too, regarding workers' rights - but that's a story for another column! For our Celtic festival, however, it was an agricultural celebration to welcome the summer season, and to protect your family and your way of life against supernatural forces. This festival was celebrated at the beginning of the Summer season, and there were other festivals associated with the other seasons.

In the old traditions fires are lit at sunset on May Eve, April 30, and these traditions still survive in some parts of the country. The name 'Bealtaine' comes from the Old Irish 'Bel tine', according to the historian Peter Berresford Ellis (in the book "A Dictionary of Irish Mythology"). Bel or Belenus is thought to have been the Sun God, but this is only speculation.

May customs

In the distant past, the main fire of May was lighted on Mount Uisneach in County Westmeath - the traditional center of the country. Then, torches were lit in that fire, and they were taken to the townships to light other fires. People would go between two Mayday fires as a ritual of purification. Herds of cows were also sent between fires for the same reason. People even jumped over the fires of Bealtaine, as a fertility ritual.

On May Day, people would collect flowers and sprigs of mountain ash and hang them across the doors or windows of their homes, out of fear that the fairies would take people or animals with them. No visitors were welcome on May Day either, as it was believed that if anything was stolen from your home, someone could use it to put you under a black magic spell.

The 'May Tree' tradition used to be strong not only in Ireland but throughout Europe, where people used to dance around the tree together hand in hand. Another tradition called the 'Queen of May' was practiced in Ireland and throughout Europe as well. It is thought that this tradition may be related to the ancient Roman Goddess, Flora. It was often accompanied by a procession and sports and festivals. In some parts of Ulster, a King was chosen along with the Queen. Sometimes, a bush was carried in the procession, and sliothars (hurling balls) were hung on it. May Day was the start of the hurling season and in Kilkenny the women used to give new sliotars for the men on this day.

According to a legend called 'Book of Capture', the first settler, Partholan, came to Ireland on May Day, and it was on another May Day that the plague came that destroyed his people. Many years later, another group, Clann Míledh, came and on May Day they suppressed the Tuatha Dé Danann. It is unlikely that the above-mentioned things happened on May Day itself, but that is was a matter of magical reality, when the storytellers put together significant events with important dates, perhaps without realising it. In any case, it confirms how central May Day used to be in Celtic culture.

A Poem!!

I will end on a different note - a poetic note, thanks to my father, Peter Barrett. He wrote a wonderful poem about May Day, celebrating the beginning of the flowering that can be seen on May Day. But the theme changes in the last two verses, and a more gloomy atmosphere can be felt in them. The seed of death lies dormant in all living things, even in the prime of health and life. A great lesson from the master himself!

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Another Summer sprouting

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Bright daisies and golden dandelions

To us in swaths of color,

A glorious yellow gorse, a hawthorn like lace

In the green cloak of a Summer bride.

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A yellow May day on fire in the hedges,

And birds singing in the branches,

Lambs gamboling and calfs being herded

In the fertile fields of Summer.

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The clouds of the sky are like soft sheep's fleece,

A bright sun gilding everything,

Bees are busy, and ants in their swarms

Gathering the fruits of the season.

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Cowslips decorating the grasslands,

Hedges blooming profusely,

Bright bog cotton bleaching the bogs,

And fuchsia like Summer pearl

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Years in herds grazing happily,

The collection of memories stirring with them,

The days of youth racing back to us,

Like the Summer flowers bloom.

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But let's put them away, the memories of our youth,

As youth will not return twice to us,

The years will not return that have left us

Unless the faded bloom of Summer returns.

Óráid Mitchell!

Mitchell's Speech!

by | 2023/05/03 | Current Affairs, International News, National News, Politics, History

Óráid Mitchelll!

More than 27 years ago, many people began to work hard together for a few years, day after day attempting to find a workable solution to the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It seemed like an impossible task, but they continued despite a long list of difficulties. Despite the different views of the participants in the talks, George Mitchell announced on Good Friday, 10 April 1998, that they had reached an agreement. Although it is not a perfect agreement, it is a practical agreement, which is still in place, which is still alive, and which is a world-class example of what you can do when you cooperate with your enemies to stop the violence between you.

Everyone who was involved in those talks took a chance, and some of them were undoubtedly badly affected for a long time. The Agreement was a very positive thing, concluding a bloody chapter in the history of the North. John Hume and David Trimble received a Nobel peace prize for their work later that year. Although George Mitchell was also nominated for a Nobel prize, he did not receive it. If I had to choose the most central person in the Northern peace process, I would choose George Mitchell. Without it, we would not have the Agreement and we are all greatly indebted to him. The Accord was a miracle.

Commemoration of the Agreement

It is also a miracle that former Senator Mitchell (who is 89) was able to attend the anniversary of the agreement which took place recently at Queen's University in Belfast. He was diagnosed with leukemia three years ago and this is his first major event since his diagnosis. It was a big anniversary, and other famous people attended it too, including: former American President Bill Clinton, former American Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. The President of the United States Joe Biden was also in the North for the anniversary, and he gave an inspiring speech there. Almost everyone mentioned above also gave a speech, but Mitchell's speech was my favorite.

Mitchell's speech

At the conference, recognition was given to the parties who showed courage in dealing with enemies. There was also indirect pressure on the DUP to return to Stormont and put Northern Ireland to work. Over the three days the themes were, 'Reflection, Renewal, Reimagining'. Mitchell kicked off the conference and with his rousing speech, and he set the tone for the rest of the commemoration.

"I say now, to the leaders of Northern Ireland now and in the future: There are many differences between you in your history and your politics. But there is also enough to bring you together, to continue what your predecessors started a quarter of a century ago!” said Mitchell.

He continued: “Resolving your differences in democratic and peaceful ways is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it is a sign that shows strength and wisdom. And it clearly reflects the will of the vast majority of the people of Northern Ireland."

Recalling the day the parties agreed to the measure, he said: “On that day history opened itself to hope. The people of Northern Ireland rejected political violence as the way to resolve their differences. It is clear that they do not want to return to violence. Not now. Not ever,” he insisted.

"There are those who are never willing to compromise. For them, making any compromise is a sign of weakness. But I tell you that a principled compromise is necessary in divided societies, and that it shows faith in democratic values. Like it or not, we're all in this together. It takes strength, courage and vision to face the truth of the future, rather than clinging to the myths of the past. From the start of the Troubles to 1998, over 3,500 people were killed and 50,000 injured in sectarian violence. In the 25 years since the agreement was reached there have been about 164 deaths related to security,” the Senator said before asking his audience to stand in silence to remember all the victims.

Conclusion

Senator Mitchell and the conference itself had a clear message that the Good Friday Agreement was a historic ceasefire, but it was also made clear how much work needed to be done politically to ensure that there is no return to the dark days. It will be more difficult now without George Mitchell!

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Tá mise sa bhaile

I'm home

by | 2023/04/26 | Current Affairs, International News, National News, Politics

Tá mise sa bhaile!

 

The story of the President of the United States, Joe Biden, is the story of thousands of Irish-Americans, and he articulated that story with passion and love for his motherland on his visit to Ireland. When Irish-Americans say they are Irish, we ignore them because it is clear to us that they are not Irish at all. They are not referring to the bare facts, as it is clear that the majority of them are not Irish according to those criteria. But they are referring to a primal instinct that they feel strongly due to the genetic and cultural connection they have with their motherland. Their true love for Ireland was passed down from generation to generation. They are always proud of their Irish heritage. Joe Biden is the epitome of an Irish-American, without question. He expressed his solidarity with the people of Ireland and proudly revealed the truth to the people of Ireland and the world for that matter. "Tá mé sa bhaile” (I'm home), he said, and no one had any doubts about his authenticity. There is no doubt that Joe Biden is the most Irish American President we have ever seen!

Biden as President

Biden has done a lot to make his democratic vision a reality, and in the process he has also done a lot to correct Trump's terrible mistakes. Biden is not America's most charismatic President, nor the best orator either. Presidents like Reagan and Obama were far more capable in those respective fields, for example. Biden is an ordinary person like us, struggling his way through life. He is an honest and enthusiastic politician, rare traits for politicians to have. But don't be fooled by his unhurried style, as he has achieved many great things. There is not space to discuss them all here, but I will mention a couple. In 2021, Biden signed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill to rebuild America's infrastructure – including roads, bridges and railroads. It is one of the biggest packages ever signed by a president and it was high time to invest like that in the country's infrastructure. Trump promised a bill like this hundreds of times, but all he was all mouth! Last year, Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act. It will provide a total of $739 billion, about half for health care and the other half ($369 billion) for funding in renewable energy resources and to reduce pollution of all kinds. This is the most expensive climate law ever enacted in the history of the world! It was not easy for Biden to pass those acts, because there were dissenters even in his own party (especially Senator Joe Manchin in West Virginia). But it did the job, and that's the most important thing!

‘Till I stand in the middle of County Mayo!

Although I do not agree with all the views of the President, I mostly agree with his democratic vision which is in complete contrast to the refpublican vision - and it is an exaggeration to use the term vision in this case! In particular, I agree with the few acts I mentioned earlier. As with Biden, Mayo has a special place in my heart! I was born in Ballina, and my family is originally from Mayo going back hundreds of years. I have close relatives in Bangor-Erris on the Mulllet Peninsula in County Mayo, where my father is from. Edward Blewitt, Biden's great-great-great-grandfather, is a native of Ballina in County Mayo. Patrick Blewitt left Ballina to emigrate from Ireland in 1850 and went to Scranton, Pennsylvania, the same place where Biden was born 90 years later. Blewitt sold 27 thousand bricks to St Mary's Cathedral in 1827 and they were used to build the cathedral. Consequently, Blewitt was able to buy tickets for his family to be sent to America.

My parents were married in the same cathedral in 1955, and a few years later I was baptized there! When my parents were still alive, our whole family went on road trips to Ballina a few times, and we were able to see St. Muradech's Cathedral from our hotel. And recently, Biden was outside the same cathedral, giving a great speech. The strong ties between America and Ireland were very clear to me right there on a personal level.

Strange life, isn't it?

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Moltaí don chéad Phaindéim eile!

Suggestions for the next Pandemic!

by | 2023/04/12 | Current Affairs, Science and Technology, International News, National News

Suggestions for the next Pandemic!

Last week I mentioned five lessons we learned from the pandemic. In this article, I have recommendations so that we are prepared to deal with the next pandemic.

1.1. Official inquiry

We need to have an official inquiry in Ireland about the restrictive measures implemented by the government during the pandemic. Only then will we be able to improve our preparation in the future. That was the suggestion of Labor Party Deputy Duncan Smith recently.

“If we don't have that inquiry soon we will only have more media commentary, newspaper articles, best-selling books and academic assessments of what we did or didn't do. That's ultimately not useful for learning from our mistakes and building on what we did right,” Smith said.

I think he is right and this is the first step in moving towards devising better processes for the next pandemic.

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2.Government investment in proven solutions

The experts were able to study the spread and treatments of the COVID-19 virus in depth during the pandemic. The COVID-19 vaccines are effective and safe, and people who are vaccinated are less likely to get severe disease. The new type of Vaccines – messenger RNA vaccines -- are as good and in some ways better than the traditional vaccines – viral-vector vaccines. For example, it will be faster to develop new vaccines with messenger RNA vaccines than with conventional vaccines – which is extremely important.

We also know how effective masks are against any airborne virus, and especially N-95 or KN-95 type masks. Social distancing is also important as a tool against the spread of the virus, and indoors a HEPA filter is very useful to provide clean air.

Therefore, the government needs to invest sufficiently in these things:

• Personal protective equipment for people caring for people infected with the disease and especially for medical staff.
• N-95 or KN-95 masks for the general public.
• Disease tests for the general public.
• Grant assistance for companies to purchase and install HEPA filters.
• Information and teaching material explaining the instructions and rules relating to the pandemic in English and Irish.
• Grants available for researchers working in the field.

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3. Early Warning System

The sooner we find out that a disease is spreading, the fewer people will die. Here are a few strategies that would help with an early warning system:

• Wastewater monitoring: this technology is used to monitor COVID-19 in the United States. They were able to predict an increase in cases of COVID-19 in local areas a few weeks in advance by analyzing waste water data, and carry out remedial work based on that.
• Respiratory Virus and Microbiome Initiative: Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Cambridgeshire in England plan to develop tools to identify new viral threats. It is genomic surveillance and the researchers were able to quickly identify changes in the virus in Great Britain during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are now working on a system that would be able to detect infectious diseases with one inexpensive test.

It will be important for all countries to have an early warning system, with an obligation to report anything significant to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Conclusion

In my opinion, we need to have plans in two broad areas to get the best results in the next pandemic:

• Science: It is clear that science involvement in this business is vital. We have learned a lot that will be very useful in dealing much better with the next pandemic than the last one. Relevant research is also ongoing. We will be able to find infectious diseases quickly, develop vaccines and cures quickly, and better answer the question – what resources and constraints are most important to us?
• Politics: We will not be able to implement any proposal without there being the political will at a national level. Therefore, it is extremely important to focus our attention on the three points mentioned above and to keep pressure on our government to implement them. On an international level, we need to work with other countries and the World Health Organization hand in hand, because we need to have a coordinated effort towards the next pandemic.

Let's hope we don't see another pandemic, but that if we do we'll be ready to defeat it!