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10 May 2007 Edition

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Letter to the Taoiseach

Barry McElduff

Barry McElduff

Do you not think that the detectives in Castlereagh or the Bridewell could have learned a lot from observing Vincent Browne in action?  Just a thought.
Meanwhile, what do you think of Peter Robinson’s hope that the weapons of the UVF should become ‘permanently unaccessible’ or ‘permanently unusable.’  Rather curious language from a man normally given to terminological exactitude.  I could detect a tone of nervousness in Peter.  Did he mean ‘inaccessible’?  One thing for sure, Peter did not mean ‘beyond use’.  I just thought that he was unusually out of sorts on this one, very unsure of his footing for a man normally so full of certainty.
Who offers political analysis to the UVF anyway, Taoiseach?  Is it Paisley, Purvis, Empey or Blair?   What way does it work, in your experience, Bertie?  
Do you remember some weeks ago I told you about the heroic performance of young Damien O’Hagan in helping Greencastle to lift the All Ireland Junior Championship Cup?  Damien was one of the children who witnessed their mother’s murder in the family home at the hands of the UVF.  Well, what has happened since is that Damien has been selected as Sports Personality of the Month by the Ulster Herald newspaper in Omagh.  No one can ever predict the course of anyone’s life.
On a different note, 8 May is almost upon us.  A very important date marking the 20th Anniversary of the deaths of nine men, including eight IRA Volunteers, who were murdered by the British Army at Loughgall in Co. Armagh.  Loughgall was a bit like the Clonmult Ambush in the 20’s, a huge loss of life on the Irish side.  On this occasion, I am writing to you Taoiseach, before the weekend of commemorative events.  I might, for what it is worth, send you a DVD record to aid your understanding of the strength of feeling on the part of republicans in this part of the country.
Of course, Tuesday coming also marks the restoration of the political institutions which were born out of the Good Friday Agreement.  I have left a pass at the door for you.  I can meet you at the East Door and help to sign you in.  Just ring my mobile as you’re walking towards the side entrance.  When you do arrive, watch Blair and remember that you are a co-equal partner in all of this.  For God’s sake insist on a backdrop, which has a National Flag, and do not allow anyone to position you in front of the Union Jack.  PJ Mara will keep you right, I am sure, or I can ask Ned.  Do you think will Vincent Browne be up?  
Between us, we need to make sure that the All Ireland Ministerial Council meetings take place as soon as possible.  As you know, this Council will meet in sectoral format variously as well.  If you are influencing the agenda of the sectoral meeting on health, tell Michael McGimpsey to share with Mary Harney the strategy in the North for helping patients with cystic fibrosis.  Apparently, sufferers in the north are better provided for than sufferers in the rest of the country.  There should be a harmonised approach and the very best service possible should be offered to everyone concerned.  
At the end of the day, the restoration of the political institutions must make a difference for the quality of people’s lives.  Where better to start than with cystic fibrosis sufferers who might look northwards with envy at services, which are somewhat better than those on offer for them.  
Finally, what is happening inside the Irish Times?  Roisin Ingle wrote a brilliant piece last Thursday about the reception Gerry Adams got in both Carrick-on-Shannon and at Cavan General Hospital.  What happened to the media consensus that Sinn Féin should be ignored in the run-up to 24 May?
Game on!
Is mise le meas
Barry McElduff


NB: Bertie Ahern can be contacted on (00 353) 1 619 4020 or e-mail [email protected].  Address: Office of the Taoiseach, Government Buildings, Dublin 2.

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