Three parties engage in rhetorical bluff

THE recent advocacy of republican ideals by Fine Gael, Labour and the PDs has been shown to be a rhetorical sham by their rejection of the Taoiseach’s proposal to allow limited speaking rights in the Dáil to MPs from the North.

In recent months these political parties have felt it necessary to promote themselves as championing the cause of Irish unity at every opportunity.

Note Enda Kenny's insistence on recalling the 'United Ireland' tag once attached to the Fine Gael name; Michael McDowell's reminiscing on his grandfather's republican exploits, and Labour's claim to be the true inheritors of James Connolly.