Republican News · Thursday 27 February 2002

The all-Ireland imperative

Sinn Féin Agriculture and Rural Development spokesperson Martin Ferris this week urged the Irish Farmers' Association to participate in an all-Ireland initiative on the problems facing Irish farmers. Ferris was speaking at a meeting of the Dáil Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food that was addressed by IFA President John Dillon.

Such an initiative makes perfect sense. There is a serious crisis facing Irish agriculture on both sides of the border. Indeed, the situation of farmers in the Six Counties is probably even worse than their counterparts in the South.

It is ridiculous that agriculture on such a small island should be subject to such different rules and regulations. It would benefit the IFA to make common cause with the northern farmers' organisations to push for closer cooperation on all aspects of agriculture and rural development throughout the island.

In promoting such links, Ferris has succeeded in getting the Dáil Committee to agree to invite an all-party group from the Assembly to order to discuss various issues, including CAP reform, disease prevention and the marketing of food.

Such initiatives should, if followed through, make economic and social sense for producers, consumers and rural communities, but they also highlight the practical advantages of bringing an all-Ireland mindset to bear on issues that affect all the people of the island.

Flight of fancy

Bertie Ahern's plan to buy a new government jet, which should cost up to §60 million, is a slap in the face to voters in the current economic climate.

While the government has turned the screws on workers in its social partnership negotiations, ignoring its commitment to tackle poverty, such extravagance, justified on the grounds that the 'old' jet has broken down once or twice, is the height of arrogance.

The health service is crying out for a cash injection and the housing waiting list is spiralling out of control, but Bertie and Brian will have luxurious leather upholstery to cushion their complacent behinds while they work out how to screw more money from workers to finance their high life.