2 April 1998 Edition
Cearta speaks in Dublin
By Michael Pierse
``Nobody is going to tell me that my children don't have a right to be Irish,'' were the words of Caitríona Ruane, director of Féile an Phobail, to a crowd of 350 people at a Cearta meeting in the Royal Dublin Hotel on Wednesday 25 March.
Also present was chair Nuala Kelly, Green Party MEP Patricia McKenna, Brendan McKenna of the Garvaghy Road Residents' Group and Conor Lenihan of Fianna Fáil.
Ruane spoke emphatically of the renewed confidence of the nationalist community and stated unreservedly that the human rights of nationalists are ``not up for negotiation.'' She also stressed that many social issues must be adressed, although ``to address these issues in a meaningful way would strike at the heart of partition''.
Patricia McKenna emphasised the ``need for a level playing field to begin with,'' as nationalists are currently ``totally disadvantaged and discriminated against.''
The proposed dilution of Articles 2 and 3 received priority attention. Brendan McKenna highlighted the overwhelming spin-doctoring being operated by many politicians in the run-up to a final decision: ``accept this and you accept peace, vote against this and you vote against peace''. This, he said, reminded him of Lloyd George's threat of war if the Treaty was not accepted over 75 years ago. Conor Lenihan of Fianna Fáil acknowleged that for a long time the governments have neglected their responsiblities on the issue and expressed his ``hope'' that his party does not abandon the Articles . However, his Bon Jovi quote,''keep the faith'' had a hollow ring in the context of his party's current line. Dublin Sinn Féin representative Daithí Doolan expressed encouragement at Lenihan's adress, but also implored him to express these opinions internally within his party.
``Nobody is going to tell me that my children don't have a right to be Irish,'' were the words of Caitríona Ruane, director of Féile an Phobail, to a crowd of 350 people at a Cearta meeting in the Royal Dublin Hotel on Wednesday 25 March.
Also present was chair Nuala Kelly, Green Party MEP Patricia McKenna, Brendan McKenna of the Garvaghy Road Residents' Group and Conor Lenihan of Fianna Fáil.
Ruane spoke emphatically of the renewed confidence of the nationalist community and stated unreservedly that the human rights of nationalists are ``not up for negotiation.'' She also stressed that many social issues must be adressed, although ``to address these issues in a meaningful way would strike at the heart of partition''.
Patricia McKenna emphasised the ``need for a level playing field to begin with,'' as nationalists are currently ``totally disadvantaged and discriminated against.''
The proposed dilution of Articles 2 and 3 received priority attention. Brendan McKenna highlighted the overwhelming spin-doctoring being operated by many politicians in the run-up to a final decision: ``accept this and you accept peace, vote against this and you vote against peace''. This, he said, reminded him of Lloyd George's threat of war if the Treaty was not accepted over 75 years ago. Conor Lenihan of Fianna Fáil acknowleged that for a long time the governments have neglected their responsiblities on the issue and expressed his ``hope'' that his party does not abandon the Articles . However, his Bon Jovi quote,''keep the faith'' had a hollow ring in the context of his party's current line. Dublin Sinn Féin representative Daithí Doolan expressed encouragement at Lenihan's adress, but also implored him to express these opinions internally within his party.