The Commonwealth

[Rocko]

More calls for Govt to rejoin Commonwealth
15/05/2007 - 11:43:10

The Irish Government today faced further calls to rejoin the Commonwealth.

Following appeals in the Assembly yesterday for Ireland to rejoin the international organisation headed by the Queen after 58 years, the secretary general of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Dr William Shija, said the time had come for Ireland to embrace the diversity offered by the group of 53 nations from across the world.

Mr Shija noted the vast majority of members were republican nations.

The former Tanzanian minister said: We look forward indeed to when not only the other part of Ireland but other parts of the world are looking at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as an association which respects diversity and differences and multi-cultural approaches.

I look forward to an inclusive process by having more members.

The DUPs Jeffrey Donaldson and Alliance Partys Sean Neeson yesterday called on Ireland to rejoin the Commonwealth following recent strides forward in the peace process.

In 1949 the Irish Government under Taoiseach John A Costello left the Commonwealth on becoming a republic.

Eamon de Valeras grandson, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon O Cuiv has backed the idea of Ireland returning to the Commonwealth in a bid to reach out to unionists.

The CPA is a group of parliamentary bodies within the Commonwealth and includes regional and national parliamentarians from the UK, Canada, Australia, Nigeria, India and Pakistan.

Mr Shija was attending the opening ceremony at Stormont of its CPAs British Islands and Mediterranean Regions conference.

Stormont First Minister Ian Paisley and Assembly Deputy Speaker Francie Molloy addressed the event whose theme this week is equality.

Delegates from Gibraltar, St Helena, Malta and Cyprus joined Scottish MSPs, Welsh Ams and Westminster MPs along with members from Pakistan and South Africa for the 38th annual conference.

The conference, which runs until Thursday, will discuss how Northern Ireland has moved away from conflict.

Mr Paisley welcomed CPA members to the province and hoped they would learn from the good parts of Northern Irelands history.

Our society is increasingly diverse, and the opportunities that a more peaceful future presents must be available to all, the DUP leader said.

As a society we are strengthened through unity and diversity. This isnt something to fear.

He added that progress had been made through anti-discrimination legislation and measures to address disadvantage.

But while policies are important, it is the things that people do which ultimately make the difference.

A major focus of the Northern Ireland Executive will be to ensure that the policy translates into real action.

Yesterdays decision to enter the association was taken without opposition from Sinn Fin, a fact welcomed by Dr Paisley.

Sinn Fin Deputy Speaker Francie Molloy said he was welcoming the delegation in his neutral capacity as a leading officer of the House.

He said people in the North could enjoy a future free from fear and violence.

We have an opportunity to learn from you and see how we can work together in developing a system of government which can accommodate and over time overcome distrust and division, he said.

[Bandage]

It seems incredibly odd to see/hear Paisley say things like this:

Our society is increasingly diverse, and the opportunities that a more peaceful future presents must be available to all, the DUP leader said.

As a society we are strengthened through unity and diversity. This isnt something to fear.

It’s only a year or two back he was frothing at the mouth going on about evil papal inlfuences.

Don’t really fancy rejoining the Commonwealth myself.

[Rocko]

I’m horrified at the thoughts of it - why would we voluntarily align ourselves with those who persecuted us and express pride at this idea? I think we should set up a rival commonwealth for ex-British subjects who still hate them.

[Flano]

It’s shocking to think that this would even be a consideration. I would make me physically sick if we rejoined the Commonwealth.

@therock67

I think we should set up a rival commonwealth for ex-British subjects who still hate them.

Yeah but we need a snazzy name for it?

[briantinnion]

Wouldn’t see anything wrong with it to be honest. We’re in the EU aren’t we.

[Bandage]

Still can’t think of a good name for our alternative grouping.

Perhaps The PIRA - The Persecuted International Rising Alliance

[Flano]

@Bandage

Still can’t think of a good name for our alternative grouping.

Perhaps The PIRA - The Persecuted International Rising Alliance

Could be confused with another certain group…

I’m going to rack my brain over this one

[Bandage]

How about AL-QUAEDA?

Anti London-based Queen United Allies Against England (and) Demand Action.

Hmmmnnn.

[Bandage]

Or ETA?

English Tossers Agreed?

[RaymondCrotty]

If rejoining the Commonwealth meant there would be more chance of Unionists becoming more receptive towards a United Ireland I would welcome such a move. It is a little narrow minded of individuals to give out about us taking a relatively small step in joining the Commonwealth when part of our country is still under British rule. In effect the influence of England on this country is huge at the moment so to join the Commonwealth will not really increase our Anglisation in any real tangible way. Coronation Street, Soccer AM and the EPL probably have more of an effective on Irish society than the Commonwealth could ever have.

[Rocko]

I thought you might post something along those lines piper - it’s consistent with your views on Ireland’s Call etc.

But Ireland’s Call is one thing - it’s pure symbolism, the commonwealth is another matter entirely. It’s an active proclamation of pride in our British roots and the empire that ruled us. When we’ve diluted Ireland to such an extent that we become another part of Britain you’d be happy if we then got a united Ireland?

[RaymondCrotty]

@therock67

I thought you might post something along those lines piper - it’s consistent with your views on Ireland’s Call etc.

But Ireland’s Call is one thing - it’s pure symbolism, the commonwealth is another matter entirely. It’s an active proclamation of pride in our British roots and the empire that ruled us. When we’ve diluted Ireland to such an extent that we become another part of Britain you’d be happy if we then got a united Ireland?

To be frank I think Ireland has been diluted to such an extent already that the main goal now should be to unite the country. To answer your question I am Irish and part of my country is part of Britain. I would rather the whole country was part of Britain rather than one third of it. At least if that was the case there would not be the divisions that there are today where an awful lot of the ‘south’ could not give a damn about the ‘north’ which they regard as being a foreign country yet happily lap up their EPL etc. I am not proud to be from the Republic of Ireland and don’t think I ever will be. If by joining the Commonwealth the whole country is less divided bring it on.

[Rocko]

@thepiedpiper

I would rather the whole country was part of Britain rather than one third of it. A

Fair enough. I disagree. I’ve got more of an “I’m alright Jack” attitude.

[farmerinthecity]

@thepiedpiper

To be frank I think Ireland has been diluted to such an extent already that the main goal now should be to unite the country. To answer your question I am Irish and part of my country is part of Britain. I would rather the whole country was part of Britain rather than one third of it. At least if that was the case there would not be the divisions that there are today where an awful lot of the ‘south’ could not give a damn about the ‘north’ which they regard as being a foreign country yet happily lap up their EPL etc. I am not proud to be from the Republic of Ireland and don’t think I ever will be. If by joining the Commonwealth the whole country is less divided bring it on.

Well said but relax on the whole EPL rubbish.

[Bandage]

I definitely would rather the position we have at the moment than Britain governing the whole country. That’s not to say I don’t care about the Occupied 6. I was raised with a deep and unerring love for my country. Christ, I actually can’t believe what I’m reading here - let’s get an Act of Union signed up forthwith and it’ll save us the bother of having a general election next week.

[Flano]

What about the SPL? There’s a manic obsession on here with it and thats a foreign league aswell. Hypocritical nonsense.

PS

Raven. Your little Lanchashire dig is old at this stage, BORING. Think of something new to say

[Flano]

You mentioned farmer would say Manchester, you know well that he is a Liverpool supporter

[farmerinthecity]

@fingal raven

@farmerinthecity

@thepiedpiper

To be frank I think Ireland has been diluted to such an extent already that the main goal now should be to unite the country. To answer your question I am Irish and part of my country is part of Britain. I would rather the whole country was part of Britain rather than one third of it. At least if that was the case there would not be the divisions that there are today where an awful lot of the ‘south’ could not give a damn about the ‘north’ which they regard as being a foreign country yet happily lap up their EPL etc. I am not proud to be from the Republic of Ireland and don’t think I ever will be. If by joining the Commonwealth the whole country is less divided bring it on.

Well said but relax on the whole EPL rubbish.

Think the EPL is a good point. We are obsessed with football in a foreign country. Imagine everyone in Madrid supporting Milan or people in Amsterdam supporting Munich - Its laughable. Surely your embarrassed when you go away and people ask where your from,if it comes up about who you support & in your case farmer you say Manchester & tey ask you why you dont like football in your own country

Do you think you are funny with the Manchester comment because believe me the only one looking stupid out of all of this is you?

Why should I support the Eircom League? I have no reason to. There is no team in my area nor there never has been. Why should I make an effort in something that I have no interest in through no fault of my own? I have explained before that my biggest love is my local GAA team followed by my county GAA team. If I folow the EPL or whatever you want to call it is it not a bigger indictment of the structure of soccer in this country over the years and incompetence of the FAI that soccer hasn’t grown in all areas of the country?