Top Issue 1-2024

27 January 2011

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Letter to the Taoiseach

SO, BRIAN, you finally made the trip to the Áras and the ball has finally been thrown in to get the game underway.
I have my own memories of visiting Áras an Uachtarain, more pleasant visits than your own than that fateful day of Thursday 20th January when you threw in the towel. (I am mixing my sporting metaphors, I know.)
I have had occasion to accompany groups from Tyrone to Phoenix Park to meet Mary as well. On one occasion I got the distinct impression that Mary was throwing us out a bit earlier than was planned in order to facilitate the arrival of Tony Blair. I reminded Mary of this when I met her at the district council offices in Omagh a week or so later.
Anyway, as we made our way out the door, I took the opportunity to speak to the President’s Aide de Camp, asking him if he would be speaking to the British Prime Minister himself. He said that he would in all probability. I asked him if he would suggest to Tony Blair that he might give us back our Six Counties.
One of his colleagues standing nearby asked me if I wanted him to get his P45. I said: “No, not at all. Forgive me for being confused because I thought you would be helpful when I saw Óglaigh na hÉireann on your uniform.”
Did you collect your P45 at the Áras, Brian?  What way does it work? Do you sign on or what?
At least you have the prospect of a job interview on March 11th. I know a lot of people who are emigrating because they cannot even get an interview in the current economic climate.
I shouldn’t dwell on these matters unduly, however.
A big year. 2011 is going to be ‘The Year of Elections’. The general election in March in the 26 Counties and then, in the month of May, Assembly and council elections in the Six Counties. To be followed by the Presidential election in October or November. Northern nationalists are still looking for their voting entitlement in that election, Brian . . . You never did get around to sorting that one out despite our wee chat about this in Tullamore.
That’ll do me for this month, Brian. Hope you kept the ‘runaround’ because I hear the Merc had to be handed back, too.

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