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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Séasúr an Dóchais

A Season of Hope

by | 2023/04/19 | National News, Politics, History

Séasúr an Dóchais!

A reawakening is happening everywhere we look. The plants are recovering from the long winter sleep. Fresh leaves are sprouting vibrantly on the trees and bushes. And the birds that were gone from us during the cold season, are here again now, full of heart and hope. The birds that stayed throughout the bad weather are singing loudly as they announce the arrival of the new season. Spring is undoubtedly a season of hope and revival. The blind poet Antoine Ó Raifteirí succeeded in expressing the spirit of Spring in the poem 'Cill Aodán'...

“Now with the coming of spring the days will be getting longer,

And after the feast of Bridget I will raise my sail,

Since I got it into my head I will not settle

Until I’m standing down in the middle of County Mayo

The coming of Spring brought energy and excitement to the heart of the poet while he was in exile in County Galway. A desire to travel and a longing for home were awakened in the heart of the poor blind poet, although it was only an unrealized vision.

All we have to do is look at the history of our country to understand that the spirit and desire for freedom was awakened in our own people with the arrival of Easter, more than a century ago now.

Easter Rising 1916

It was no accident that rebel leader Patrick Pearse chose Easter as the best time to declare the Republic of Ireland. After centuries of Gallic domination, Pearse wanted the nation to experience the renewal of Easter in a manner similar to the resurrection itself. At first the people of the country made fun of Pearse’s idea, but before long they understood what he meant and stood bravely for his vision.

The rebellion began on April 24, 1916 and ended on April 29, 1916. Members of the Brotherhood of the Republic of Ireland, members of the Irish Citizen Army and members of the Women's Association rose against British rule in Ireland. It was the first rebellion in Ireland since the rebellion of 1798.

Originally, the Irish planned to have thousands of rebels. But a man called Sir Roger Casement was captured on the way back from Germany with guns and therefore only about 1,250 took part in the rebellion. Of these, around 300 joined the General Post Office (GPO) in Dublin under the leadership of Pádraig Pearse and James Connolly. Other groups occupied different parts of the city, including St. Stephen's Green, the Shelbourne Hotel, Boland's Mills and Jacobs Factory.

The worst fighting took place at Boland’s Mills when Éamon de Valera and his rebels began shooting at British soldiers known as Sherwood Foresters as they landed in the city. That shooting killed around 200 people and injured many more. There was also a great fight in St. Stephen's Green and a good number of Irishmen were lost there. After six days the Irish were exhausted and were being fired upon by huge artillery pieces mounted on a British ship called HMS Helga. The General Post Office was badly hit and the Irish soon surrendered. Sixteen Irish leaders were shot by firing squad after the Rising. This greatly affected the people of the country, as they believed that this was a breach of trust by the British government. From then on, the people of Ireland were not happy to be under the control of the British Empire any more, and it is not surprising that the War of Independence broke out in 1919. The war continued until 1922, when the leaders of Sinn Féin and the British MPs made a peace treaty. Apart from the Six Counties in Ulster (which had a Unionist majority), Ireland became its own country.

Conclusion

A lot has changed in Ireland since Pearse had the national vision and he would no doubt be surprised to see our country today, especially in terms of the wealth of the country today, in stark contrast to the poverty that existed during his own life. It is likely that Pearse would not be too happy with the state of Irish, either! But be that as it may, we have to be grateful to Pierse and many other Irish people too, for their vision of having our own country. And isn't Easter the best time for us to celebrate those heroes and our independence!

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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!

Ceachtanna ón bPaindéim!

Lessons from the Pandemic!

by | 2023/04/05 | Current Affairs, Science and Technology, International News, National News

Lessons from the Pandemic!

 

It's hard to believe that more than three years have passed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic is rarely in the news now and things are almost back to how they were before. But COVID–19 killed at least 6.8 million people worldwide and more than 13 thousand people on the island of Ireland. It is important for us now to reflect on the lessons we have learned and with that knowledge to better prepare for the next pandemic. In this article, we will highlight five important lessons from the pandemic. In the next article, we will mention five important recommendations of the next pandemic.

 

 

Lesson 1 – Put your faith in science instead of rumours

 

 

We take it for granted now, but the importance of vaccines and how quickly they were developed cannot be overemphasized. Not only that, but the development of an m-RNA vaccine is nothing short of a miracle – an innovative and revolutionary approach to vaccine design. Normally, it takes up to 15 years to design a vaccine, but it only took one year for COVID-19! Anti-vaccination misinformation did a lot of damage, because it scared some people, and they therefore refused the vaccine. Vaccines (including m-RNA vaccines) are safe, potent and effective. The more people who are vaccinated, the better the spread of the disease is prevented.

 

 

Lesson 2 – Masks work against the virus

 

 

Masks are able to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. There was uncertainty in the United States about that at first, because the authorities wanted to keep masks for doctors and medical staff to protect them from the virus. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) initially said that people who were not infected did not need to wear masks, but then changed their recommendation and said that everyone should wear a mask. Their messages were unfortunately conflicting and people were not quite sure what to do. As for what kind of masks to wear, there was a shortage of N-95 masks, and people had to wear cloth masks, which were not very effective against the virus.

 

 

Lesson 3 – Indoor air quality is important

 

 

At first, we didn't know much about how the virus spreads. But over time, we learned that airborne transmission is the most effective method of spreading the virus. Therefore, it is very important to use an air filter to remove virus particles. The best filter is a high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA filter). Such a system is able to significantly reduce the amount of the COVID-19 virus, and it also reduces other disease vectors – such as influenza.

 

 

Lesson 4 – Wastewater monitoring is very useful in a virus pandemic

 

 

Early in the pandemic, the idea to monitor wastewater arose and that exercise grew as an approach over time. People shed particles of the COVID-19 virus before they have symptoms of the disease. Any surge in COVID-19 cases can be predicted a few weeks in advance by analyzing wastewater data. This analysis can be done area by area, and that is a great help in putting together a plan against the virus.

 

 

Lesson 5 – Genomic surveillance is necessary

 

 

Unfortunately, the virus mutates from time to time and changes the outer covering so that vaccines are no longer as effective. It is therefore necessary to design a new vaccine against a new variant, in a kind of biological warfare. Therefore, it is very important for all countries to be able to carry out genomic surveillance and find new variants as soon as possible. Even after the pandemic, it is still necessary to be alert, because you would never know when a new dangerous version will come out.

 

 

Conclusion

 

 

We feel relieved that the pandemic is now over, and life is almost back to normal. The pandemic was very painful and a large number of people died from the virus so it is easy to put the bad memories behind us and carry on as before the pandemic. But we have to go against our nature in this situation and not forget the pandemic and the lessons mentioned above. More than that, based on the lessons we've learned, we need to put measures in place to conquer the next pandemic, whenever it happens.

 

 

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Creat Windsor!

Windsor Framework!

by | 2023/03/29 | Current Affairs, International News, National News, Politics

Windsor Framework!

There are many dangers in the DUP's approach to Brexit. Without a doubt, the pressure is on as I write this. The DUP have long announced that they will not return to the Stormont Assembly, regardless of the Executive, unless the post-Brexit protocol is changed to meet their demands. Their main problem is that the same rules would not apply in the North as in Great Britain itself, due to the soft border between the North and Ireland. A soft border is enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement and customs checkpoints cannot be located on the border. Therefore, Brexit contravenes the Agreement, absent a special provision.

Northern Ireland Protocol

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed the Northern Ireland Protocol with the European Union and it came into effect on January 1, 2021. According to that arrangement, customs checkpoints are located at Northern Ireland ports and Belfast international airport , and all goods checked coming into the North – including goods from Great Britain, even if they are to stay in Northern Ireland. Previously, Johnson promised the DUP that he would not allow a border in the Irish Sea - and then broke his promise to them. No wonder the DUP felt betrayed and then refused to take a role in the Assembly ever since.

Windsor framework

The DUP boycott of Stormont has put pressure on the United Kingdom (UK) government in a number of ways. First of all, it is much more difficult to govern the North, without a devolved Northern government in place. Secondly, any member of the DUP who is a member of the UK Parliament must resign from that role were he/she to take up a role in the Assembly. As members of Parliament, they are able to put more pressure on the UK government in relation to the post-Britain protocol.

On the flip side of that, however, there are a few downsides to that approach. First, the boycott increases political instability and the risk of violence. Secondly, the Stormont boycott is against the will of the people and that is not a good thing. Even among its own followers, only half are in favor of the boycott, and that is a political risk for their own party! Undoubtedly, the DUP members are playing high stakes, not just for themselves, but for the North as well.

The UK government bowed to pressure, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen putting together new trade arrangements - the 'Windsor Framework' - which will reduce customs checks on goods coming into the North from Great Britain. It is a compromise between the two parties and the European Union has undoubtedly conceded to the UK in relation to several points. But it's a good deal for the North, all things considered.

Significant progress but…

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said the Windsor Framework was a significant step forward, but they still had key concerns about the Framework, particularly around the continued application of EU laws. There is still a lot of work to be done, according to Donaldson. But Rishi Sunak said the UK government has no plans to renegotiate the Framework.

In the first vote in parliament on the 'Stormont Brake', a central piece of the Framework, there were 515 members in favor and 29 (including 8 DUP members) against the Brake, and so it was passed.

A clash between the DUP and Sunak is likely to be inevitable, but Sunak currently has the upper hand on the Framework. But what will Jeffrey Donaldson do now?

Choices?

Jeffrey Donaldson and the DUP are now in a dilemma over what to do. It now feels very unlikely that the DUP will succeed in forcing their will on the UK government further with respect to the Framework. At the same time, Northerners are growing impatient since they still don’t have their own government in place, and support for the DUP may well dwindle if its boycott of Stormont continues. Without a doubt, the DUP is in a bit of trouble now.

In my view, it is now time for the DUP to swallow their pride and do the right thing and accept their seats in Stormont. Ultimately, they got a new deal regarding the Protocol, and it's a shame they're not happy with that. Who knows what the end of this story might be, but I have to admit that I am not overly optimistic about it.

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