Unionists fail to match republican generosity

SINCE the signing of the Good Friday Agreement constitutional nationalists and republicans have been generous in their response to unionist demands that their British culture and traditions be recognised and respected.

In attempts to show unionism a face they might accept, a complete end to paramilitarism and total decommissioning was agreed and implemented.

No reciprocal response from loyalism emerged.

In addition to these measures, the Government here agreed to unification by consent only, in addition to deletion of articles two and three of our constitution and no change to the North’s constitutional status other than by agreement.

As a further signal of our political bona fides towards our unionist neighbours, the Government funded the Orange Order to the tune of almost €1 million.

Unfortunately, the political response from unionism to these measures has been most ungenerous.

A request by the SDLP and Sinn Féin for an Irish Language Act in the North has sparked bitter exchanges in the Assembly with the executive split on the issue.

Not alone are unionists blocking this inoffensive cultural request, but First Minister Peter Robinson has disparagingly referred to the Irish language as “leprechaun speak”.

How pathetic that the functioning of democracy in the nascent Northern Assembly is determined by such ignorant banalities and blatant prejudice.

Tom Cooper

23 Delaford Lawn

Knocklyon

Dublin 16