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DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
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February 08 2022 02:30 AM
The DUP effectively pulled the plug on Stormont over the Northern Ireland Protocol. Its leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, had been warning he would do just that for some time if it was not overhauled.
Other parties, including those of unionist outlook and Sinn Féin, say it is a destructive move. The DUP’s leaders have found themselves politically cornered and they have no plans to back down. They should think of the people they represent in a time of soaring costs of living and overburdened health services.
The protocol was devised to protect the Good Friday Agreement after the DUP-backed Brexit approval. It was signed by Dublin, London and Brussels.
From this moment, all sides have a choice to make. They should not leave behind the great work that has been achieved up to now.
Noel Harrington
Kinsale, Co Cork
There have been signs of cracks in our Coalition recently. First we hear that Fine Gael backbenchers (mainly rural) are becoming anxious that the Green Party is mainly interested in issues affecting voters that live within the “Pale”.
In last Thursday’s Irish Independent, journalist Philip Ryan wrote that Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar were divided on energy credits (‘Varadkar wants more than €100 for energy bill subsidy’, Irish Independent, February 3).
The Tánaiste believes €100 is not enough relief to householders. We learn from Mr Ryan’s piece that an unnamed “senior Fine Gael source” states that the Tánaiste believes more needs to be done to help families with the cost-of-living squeeze.
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Furthermore, the Tánaiste added that in the “medium term” the party wants to reduce the cost of healthcare and childcare. A reduction in the cost of healthcare which is at present free seems to point to the high earners who are VHI or Laya subscribers
An “unnamed Fianna Fáil source” then claims the Taoiseach warned there is a thin line between helping with the cost of living and contributing to inflation.
With these fundamental gaps appearing in the unity of the three coalition parties, it appears as though the unnamed sources in both parties are double-jobbing for Sinn Féin.
Hugh Duffy
Cleggan, Co Galway
The Irish Redemptorist Order has finally come out in support of Fr Tony Flannery by requesting that the Vatican reinstate him.
He received an unjust sentence for supporting the ordination of women, the ban on which the majority of Catholics now believe is the result of misogyny rather than Catholic doctrine.
However, the Vatican bureaucracy still believes in its mistaken claim to infallibility which copperfastens their many misguided decisions with divine approval. Take away this claim and their house crumbles like a deck of cards.
It now falls on Pope Francis to do the right thing. He should step in to overrule the Vatican’s 10-year sentence against Tony Flannery and reinstate him.
Brendan Butler
Malahide, Co Dublin
Sarah Carey’s article about surrogacy (‘Just like mother and baby homes, there is a reckoning coming for the act of surrogacy’, Irish Independent, January 5) is timely and necessary.
She points out that “surrogacy is strictly banned in many countries”, as well as in India, where it was previously allowed.
It was most welcome to see Ms Carey refer to adoption for babies who need homes. She went further, stating “we should make the process of adoption easier”.
She proposes that “we remember the failures in mother and baby homes and speak up for those who cannot”.
How sad that this does not apply to abortion here. The silence is deafening regarding the 13,243 babies aborted since it was legalised here. This would be higher but no figure has been given for last year.
Questions regarding the lack of coverage are disregarded by the Minister for Health and no accountability is insisted on by the media. Group thinking is very much involved on the issue of abortion.
Mary Stewart
Ardeskin, Donegal
It was tough to watch the Welsh rugby team put to the sword so relentlessly, but well done Ireland.
The Dragons will fly again.
Ed Toal
Galway city
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