Mála Poist

Slow pace of all-Ireland potential

A Chairde,

Aside even from events at Croke Park, some key 'All-Ireland' questions need to be answered this coming September.

The political negotiations to be held both in Ireland and in England need to address such questions.

It must be borne in mind at all times that the people of Ireland, in two referenda, endorsed the Good Friday Agreement, complete with its all-Ireland or North/South character.

All too often, the British Government's agenda has been to ignore the express will of the Irish people and to underdevelop the all-Ireland architecture, which is part and parcel of the agreement.

More often than not, the government in Dublin has failed to properly advance the All-Ireland Agenda.

Reflect for a moment upon that which was negotiated into the Agreement:

* The North South Ministerial Council.

* The All-Ireland Consultative Forumrs in office for Angela Smith, despite the urgent need to deliver healthcare seamlessly without borders.

The All-Ireland vision is central to achieving justice and equality. When there is a united Ireland, everyone will gain, both socially and economically.

The negative impact of partition and the unwanted border is well documented.

It is high time that the two governments listened to the people. It is time to further develop and strengthen the north/south architecture of the Good Friday Agreement

For our part, Sinn Féin will be arguing for an acceleration of pace, for real political will and a timetabled approach to delivering the all-Ireland agenda.

Barry McElduff,

West Tyrone MLA, Sinn Féin spokesperson for All-Ireland Integration.

Greaves' legacy

A Chairde,

Jim Gibney's piece on C Desmond Greaves and the influence of his historical works was interesting, and indeed it is a good thing that Greaves' books ought to be made available to a new audience.

However, I also believe that we should not overlook the actual role that Greaves and his disciples played within republicanism during a crucial period of recent history. It was Greaves and others who provided the ideological justification for the abandonment of republican principles and organisation in the late 1960s — a betrayal that was to have disastrous effects after 1969.

It was people like Joe Cahill and others who recognised where that was leading and who saved the movement and helped to build the resistance. By all means let us recognise Greaves as an historian but let us never forget that he and his acolytes were on the wrong side when it mattered.

Matt Treacy,

Dublin.

Tolerance of republicans

A Chairde,

I have only recently become interested in Irish history. I am Irish American, but always took it for granted. It was only recently that I picked up a copy of The IRA by Tim Pat Coogan and became interested in the history and politics of the Six Counties.

An Phoblacht has now become my primary source for Irish news. What has shocked me about recent events, such as the trouble in Ligoniel in Belfast, is how incredibly tolerant Irish republicans are. Despite frequent verbal and physical attacks from unionists, republicans have not responded in violence. The IRA stands firmly by its cessation and Sinn Féin pursues peaceful political means to end conflict.

I find this absolutely incredible. Republicans have shown themselves truly committed to peace.

Bryce Bellinger,

Tehachapi CA, USA.

Motorbike run to Castlerea Jail

A Chairde,

We are running a fundraiser for prisoners' dependents on 18 September. A motorbike run is being organised from Cork to Castlerea Jail. We are making up sponsor cards to collect money. Our objective is to raise this money more or less outside of our organisation.

To this end, we are looking to republican minded bikers to join us in fundraising and joining the run if possible.

This idea has already snowballed around the country and we are now hoping to have bikers from the 32 Counties meeting in the Midlands and all joining a convoy to the jaol.

Do you know any bikers who can help us in this? If so please contact Neil O'Sullivan 021-4863077 or Donal Griffin 087-2361096 or Cork Sinn Féin 021 4311389. We only have a few weeks to do this so we would appreciate your help.

Neil O'Sullivan, People's Republic of Cork.

Donal Griffin, Kerry.

One way scam?

A Chairde,

Can AIB, NIB, Eircom, O2, Vodafone, etc, please explain why their 'errors' always seem to result in INCREASED charges and prices, rather than the other way round?

Cllr Dessie Ellis,

Dublin 11.