Sir, – Jeffrey Donaldson, in response to President Joe Biden’s gentle nudging in Belfast last week, and further appeals from Bill and Hillary Clinton this week, continues to state that the political dynamic can only be changed by the people of Northern Ireland .
In case it has escaped his attention, the people have indicated their very dynamic preferences on several occasions.
In 1998, they voted overwhelmingly for the Belfast Agreement. In 2016, they rejected Brexit, and last May they voted for a new devolved assembly.
It’s time for Jeffrey the politician to step aside and Jeffrey the statesman to step forward. – Yours, etc,
‘I want to be alone’: Greta Garbo, sure. Daniel Day-Lewis, maybe not so much after all
Pat Leahy: Trouble at the top? Relations between Simon Harris and Micheál Martin are frayed
‘I crossed the river for both my wife and my chips’: End of an era for Lennox’s chipper in Cork
TV guide: the best new shows to watch this week, beginning tonight
RORY E MacFLYNN,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Bertie Ahern is critical of some Northern Ireland MLAs, saying that he could not understand how people could stand for election to an Assembly, then refuse to take their seats (“Bertie Ahern calls on DUP to restore Stormont as former taoiseach praises Sunak’s efforts”, News, April 16th). He said their action (inaction!) is undemocratic.
He should be reminded that this is precisely the system which he and his fellow negotiators devised. They eschewed a democratic system in order to avoid majority rule. (This seems to be a lesser problem now as the majority may not be unionist).
They designed a system based on “power sharing” or enforced coalition. The overriding objective was to bring an end to killing, which has largely been achieved (by appeasing the killers).
The Belfast Agreement is flawed, which is now becoming apparent, and its shortcomings are festering.
Mr Ahern and his colleagues designed it that way and must accept that.
Mr Ahern accepts the kudos for co-designing the system while simultaneously criticising it.
He, however, has his eyes on a different prize. – Yours, etc,
DON HEENAN,
Rathvilly,
Co Carlow.