Letter to the Taoiseach

I am pleased to note that the whole of Ireland has been exempted from a EU-wide ban on the export of livestock and meat products.  Why should we take a hit when the problem is located in Britain?  Fair play to you, Taoiseach, to Ian and Martin, and to both Michelle Gildernew and Mary Coughlan for adopting the fortress-Ireland approach to preventing Foot and Mouth Disease from spreading to this country.
It always strikes me that some people who live in Ireland but who regard themselves as British are happy to describe their cattle as Irish.  I am not complaining and I know that this does not present a difficulty for you either.  A small farmer from Plumbridge explained to me the other day the logic of the 32 counties being treated as one economic unit for the purpose of agricultural development.  I always like it when Bertie, Martin and Ian speak for Ireland.  
I also liked the headline in the Irish Times on Friday, 3 August when that newspaper reported on the opening of Ireland’s First ‘Cross Border’ motorway between Newry and Dundalk.  ‘Border becomes blurred as new road opens’.
Tim O’Brien, the journalist reporting on the development observed that ‘the actual location of the border along the M1 Dublin to Belfast Motorway is now hard to establish’.  There is, however, an anomaly in that small signs on the northbound carriageway advise motorists that speed limits are now in ‘Miles Per Hour’.  Meanwhile, on the southbound side, an enormous green sign reminds motorists that they are heading for Dublin.  For some reason the speed limit for cars in the Six counties is 70mph, about 2.5km/h less than the 120km/h in the 26 counties.  
Moving on, I see that you have appointed Donie Cassidy as leader of the Seanad.  Your appointment of Eoghan Harris seemed to capture the attention of the media but you will know, Taoiseach, that I am not too impressed at your failure to nominate someone from the North to the Seanad.  After all, and I have detailed this to you in correspondence in recent weeks, you had the power to nominate eleven senators.  Not one from the North.  I want to assure you that I am not the only one who has noticed this.  An SDLP representative who sits on Omagh District Council, Pat McDonnell suggests that you have decided that your Northern business is now wrapped up and that you see no need for a Six Counties presence in the Oireachtas.
In an article in the Ulster Herald newspaper, Pat reminds us that ‘we had Northern representation in the Upper house from Bríd Rodgers, Seamus Mallon, John Robb and that remarkable Christian gentleman from Enniskillen Gordon Wilson.  Are those days over?  And if they are, what message is Bertie sending?’
We do notice things like this, Bertie.  I have taken a particular interest in the Seanad elections and appointments this time around.  I am delighted that Pearse Doherty understands the North.  Sure, he comes from the North himself.  Just as well he got elected through the Agricultural Panel route.  
Believe it or not, I was flicking through the Annual Report of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission 2006.  What else do you do when Meath have knocked you out of the All Ireland?  Anyway, this report tells us that 53% of people do not feel well informed about the work of the Houses of the Oireachtas.  John O’Donoghue, the Ceann Comhairle says that he is taking this on board and that he will work to make the Dáil more accessible.  
When are you going to make the appointments of members and Cathaoirligh to the various Oireachtas committees?  I will take a special interest in the committees which deal with Arts and Sport, and with Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.  Could you tip me off in advance so I can arrange to meet these same chairpersons as they hit the ground running?  If you, Martin and Ian now collectively govern for Ireland, then I want to know – in my capacity as Chairman of the North’s Statutory Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure –  with whom shall I be scrutinising for Ireland?

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.