A chara
In the Irish Times (November 11) I was shocked to read that a company (Irish Edible Oils Ltd) were 'shattered' to discover that they were storing animal waste believed to carry the risk of the BSE virus since 1997. By 2000 there were more than 5,000 tons of this waste stored by this company on behalf of Monery By-products and the Department of Agriculture. When the companies involved had a dispute over financial arrangements much of this waste (tallow) was taken away by road-tanker to God-knows-where.
I find this very disturbing because of the considerable risk to the food products processed not only at Edible Oils plant but what about the contaminated tankers and storage tanks? If incinerating at 600 degrees does not kill the BSE prions what risk of cross infection is created by the use of tankers that are most likely in everyday use to transport food products? In several countries now instruments used to carry our surgical procedures and operations are destroyed because normal sterilisation cannot kill the prions that cause BSE/CjD.
It makes me wonder if there is any sterilisation on the instruments used to slaughter these animals and what risk there is of cross infection on to those animals entering the food chain.
I think we are facing a scandal on an even larger scale than the one covered by the Lindsay tribunal where people died as a result of contaminated blood products. We should be demanding answers now about the safety of the food on our tables especially meat and dairy by-products. With an unknown gestation period for CjD, this incurable disease, do we want to watch our children die?
GERALDINE McNAMARA
Tipperary town
A chara
Whoever heard of a country even involved in a process of decommissioning unless there was an unconditional surrender. Even the USA would not advance that ludicrous idea upon China, Russia, Israel, Pakistan, India or North Korea.
The unfairness of the Stormont Agreement makes it unworkable, especially after the passing of the Nice Treaty, which brings into effect the Rapid Reaction Force which would serve the European Community at any time of possible war, with Irish people serving in this particular military unit brought about by the myopics of Leinster House's Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen.
ROBERT E PHELAN
Denver, USA
A chara
So the Stormont farce continues, Martin and Gerry as Laurel and Hardy, saying to each other "another fine mess you've got me into". The Keystone Cops of the PSNI come running upstairs while others run down, not sure as to what they are meant to find for their political masters, but sure to find something.
However, whatever was there you can be sure the most important document that wasn't there is most important document of all, the one with the time and date for British disengagement from the Occupied Six Counties.
Now those of us who have had to watch this puppet show, knowing its tired old script word for word, are not forgetful as to the cost of arriving at this vaudeville show. We of course know of an agenda and political ideal that appeals to an audience, ie ÉIRE NUA, an audience that will grow wider as this present comedy of errors comes to a close, with a slow hand-clap for the cost of players remembered for their poor delivery, weak prose and insincere lines.
SÉAMUS WALSH
London
A chara
The constitutional trap had been sprung, Tony Blair springing the final trap and Gerry and Martin as compliant as ever. The cost of exiting this cul-de-sac is total surrender and for what? The promise of a few stepping stones and where do they lead? Back of course to the cul-de-sac.
There is in fact another route laid out by Tone, trodden by Emmet, died for by Pearse. The destination? Self-determination, self esteem, justice for all. We continue to march on this route come what may, our goal undeniable, our course just, our journey paid for in blood, yet sublime in its cause.
LIAM WALSH
London
A chara
I would like to wish a happy Christmas to all those who have supported Republican Sinn Féin in Limerick throughout the year, especially all those who bought SAOIRSE off me every month. I would call on all Republicans in the Munster area to unite on Sunday, January 5 and honour a Republican soldier and Limerick Volunteer Seán Sabhat who gave his young life for Irish freedom.
JOE LYNCH
Republican POW
Portlaoise jail
A chara
Some apologies are being given now for events of 30 years ago. In 1972 Jack Lynch's government barred all Irish rebel songs from the radio and television. There are people in Ireland who would never disown our rebel ballads. Imagine barring a song like Boolavogue from the airwaves. This did happen.
In 1998 some of these same people marched up to Vinegar Hill. If Jack Lynch or Liam Cosgrave had prosecuted anyone for breaking this law they would have been the laughing stock of the whole world.
BRENDAN TOBIN
Co Wexford
A chara
I was horrified to read in SAOIRSE (October 2002) of house raids by the Provisional police. They have now stooped to a very low level indeed. Provo police raiding true Republicans' homes and threatening a member of Republican Sinn Féin.
Whatever they were after, they didn't get anything. They are behaving now like Hitler's Storm-troopers and right-wing fascists.
When the RUC/PSNI raided their office at Stormont the Provos went absolutely mad. How dare the Brits raid the office of a political party? Well, offices are public but a person's home is private (not that two wrongs make a right!).
The Provo MLAs demanded to be allowed to “be true democrats” (at Stormont!), then look what happened, they're turfed out and told not to come back while Stormont is closed up. Now no one, even at Stormont, wants to trust them again. However Republican areas in the Six Counties have been finding them out for some time. In fact true Republicans found them out in 1986. Now, they've let down their British paymasters in London and Gerry has let his friend David down also.
After all the pledges and promises the Provos gave to the Republican/nationalist people over the years (not forgetting their own members) - 'not a bullet', 'no return to Stormont', 'put your faith in the Provos and we will get the Brits out of Ireland', then they proceed to hand three tons of weaponry over to the British and went to Stormont to serve as ministers of the British Crown. When they got the POWs out (on licence) they signed up to the Stormont Agreement and refused to recognise political status for future POWs.
Tommy Crossan, POW, Belfast, we won't forget you nor your comrades in Six-County and 26-County jails. You stand for principle and honour, something the Provos have long left behind.
Gerry Adams admitted in the Belfast press that members were leaving them at a pace because of Alex Maskey laying wreaths at four British war memorials to honour British soldiers, including the murder gangs who died in Ireland.
We don't forget Bloody Sunday in Derry, 14 people murdered in cold blood, the Loughgall Martyrs, the eight IRA Volunteers brutally murdered by the SAS in Co Armagh. The Provos have short memories. Countless others met the same fate and the Irish people will never forget them.
JOHN BANNON
Belfast 14
A chara
Freedom, the song has it, is just another word for nothing left to lose.
Democracy concomitantly and on current evidence is just another word for nothing left to gain. Especially electorally.
The dictionary definition of democracy . . .
“The form of Government in which the sovereign power is in the hands of the people.”
Irish people voted No to ratifying the initial referendum put to them last year by their elected representatives.
Overruled.
So much for democracy and sovereign power being in the hands of the people.
JOHN KELLY
Mullingar
Co Westmeath
Web layout by SAOIRSE -- Irish Freedom December 7, 2002 Send links, events notifications, articles, comments etc, to the editor at: saoirse@iol.ie. |