We’re way off the targets set in Proclamation

DESPITE the glorious ideals set out in the 1916 Proclamation citing equality, justice, unity and religious freedom for all, none of it has happened.

We are currently living in one of the most socially divided societies to be found anywhere. There can be no claim whatsoever that we’ve achieved equality in this country. This inequality is most profound in fundamental areas such as health and education where discrimination is rife across the board.

Tens of thousands of people are below the poverty line; many more are up to their necks in debt trying, and often failing, to make ends meet.

The Irish legal system is littered with injustice and bias. Many of our poorer people can’t afford civil representation and suffer as a result. Adding insult to injury, the privileged in our society are given very different treatment in our courts, especially for the most serious of offences. It can be said that religious freedom has been achieved in Ireland following the Proclamation, but not tolerance of it. The events in Northern Ireland prove that old prejudices die hard. We have to accept that many of the aspirations in the 1916 Proclamation have not been realised.

Maurice Fitzgerald

Shanbally

Ringaskiddy

Co Cork