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14 June 2007 Edition

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Letter to the Taoiseach

We all have our own views of the efficacy and role of the Seanad, Taoiseach.  Putting reservations about its democratic character to the one side, for a minute or two, I understand that you have a personal call over a number of nominations.
Have you thought about nominating someone from the Six Counties who stands out for their contribution to the struggle for a free and independent Ireland?  Perhaps, a legal, cultural or sporting figure who well understands the psyche of what is sometimes called ‘the Northern Nationalist’.   
I see that Ray O’Hanlon is seeking a nomination to the Seanad as a voice for emigrants.  Not a bad idea.  I think that he has Enda Kenny onside for this one.  There may be other suitable candidates to represent the emigrants’ voice but the idea is a good one in principle.
Not everyone knows what the purpose of the Seanad is.  People tend not to know how it is elected or what the criteria for nomination is.  Who was it that said that only drunks and insomniacs tend to watch the late night coverage on RTÉ?  Brian Hayes and Mary O’Rourke saw much more potential in it and they used the Seanad to re-launch their efforts to win back Dáil seats, so they did.
It has become a retirement home for others.  I am probably courting controversy when I say that your own nominee, Labhrás Ó Murchú has made a strong contribution and has not forgotten the national question.  
It will all unravel, Bertie, but I do sincerely hope that you give some thought to propose someone with a strong Irish republican outlook.  Someone from the Glens of Antrim or South Armagh who never bowed the knee.  You should take some cognisance of the fact that Sinn Féin has long since surpassed the SDLP as the largest nationalist Party in the Six Counties.  
Here, Taoiseach, I want to correct something that I said last week.  I described David Burnside as an MP in last week’s letter.  That was my instinct because I keep hearing that he is on business in London.  That is why he missed the fourth successive meeting of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee in Stormont last Thursday.  Burnside should send a photograph because not everyone knows what he looks like.  This reminds me of something that Gerry Adams said to me in Stormont when we hosted the winning Armagh Team in 2002.  Referring to the then British Direct Rule Minister, Angela Smith, Gerry asked me to point her out if I saw her.  
Still on the theme of the weekly Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee meeting, I should tell you that David McNarry is at it again.  McNarry described Gaelic Games as ‘foreign’ in the course of his weekly tirade. Paul Maskey pointed out that his daughter had played camogie in the Falls Park the previous evening and basically ‘pulled’ McNarry for his insulting and totally unacceptable conduct.
Ian Paisley took Ministers’ Questions on Monday as did Michelle Gildernew and Edwin Poots.  I sought a specific date, location and details of agenda items for the next Plenary Meeting of the North South Ministerial Council.  If you didn’t monitor these things, Taoiseach, Paisley would kick for touch on issues such as this, even if they are specifically included in the St Andrews Act.  Ian and boys like him would soon make a cod of you if you let them.  
Anyway, the First Minister did not give me the specific date or location but opted instead for a more vague formula.  ‘Shortly’.  He then asked me where I had been living because the government in Dublin has not yet been formed.   I told Ian that the weekend should take care of that, in the same way that Tyrone should take care of Donegal at Clones.  So ‘shortly’ should translate into a concrete date after the weekend. 


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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