More money for Britain
A chairde,
Could it be possible, with this Agreement, that another of the
disincentives for continued British presence in Ireland will
evaporate? The first disincentive to go was the halt called by
the IRA's leadership to its bombing campaign in England at the
same time as its cessation of military actions in the six-county
theatre of operations.
With increased employment (a larger tax return), no Pool Re, less
outlay on rebuilding, `security', propaganda, the judiciary,
informers, prisons, or on compensation, could it be that the
English Exchequer will in fact be profiting from its
`administering' of the six counties?
Notice that there was never talk of democratising the taxation
system, no retention of taxes within the six counties and no
control over taxation policy or spending for any cross-border
body.
The multinational corporations being invited to invest in Ireland
as a result of the Good Friday Reformation will contribute as
little as possible to the local economy and, as experience in the
26 counties has shown, will pull out when and how it suits them.
Being bit producers does not make for a manufacturing base. Being
dependent on the services sector will create a false picture of
the economy's health, something which will be proven with the
future depression of the 26 county economy.
other quandary for the ``momentum towards a united Ireland'' to
dig itself out of.
Aengus O Snodaigh
Dublin
Remove British guns
A chairde,
Full marks to Niall O'Dowd for highlighting the fact that the
British security forces have spent £45 million on upgrading
military barracks since the ceasefires. Those of us who voted Yes
in the Belfast Agreement want to see these guns out of the
equation.
Many of us had serious doubts about changing Articles 2 and 3.
However, we voted Yes to all parties sitting down in order to
resolve the conflict. We will not tolerate preconditions and
obstacles in the process towards a new inclusive Ireland.
Finian McGrath
Dublin
No recognition without representation
A chairde,
On the newly amended Free State Constitution, Article 2
recognises constitutionally what previously had only been
recognised legislatively; that the nationalist people of the six
counties have the right to Irish citizenship. Everyone must
pressurise the 26 county government to grant full voting rights
and representation to the citizens of the six counties.
It is intolerable for a state to recognise a section of the
country's population as citizens but deny them representation.
The people of the six counties are not second class citizens and
cannot be treated in that way. The sad sights of a future Irish
President unable to vote for herself and another candidate, Dana,
being unable to vote for herself in her own town of Derry must
not be repeated. I have no doubt that the leadership of the
republican movement and all Irish people will continue the
struggle for democracy for all of Ireland.
Declan Barrett
Dublin
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