WORDY RETURN TO DAIL AS POLITICAINS PAY THEIR RESPECTS
Wordy return to Dail as politicians pay their respects
Miriam Lord
WORDS, words, words. More solidarity, more sympathy, more condolences. The sombre atmosphere around Dail Eireann yesterday matched the mood of the deputies.
From Bertie Ahern, through the various party leaders, down along the political pecking order, one after another, deputies rose to express their feelings on the Omagh bombing.
Nothing new was said - we've heard it all. But our elected representatives were articulating the view of the nation for the public record. And while there was a temptation to hit the snooze button after the first few hours of eloquent commiseration, we knew that the ritual taking place in the Dail chamber was a necessary one.
Words were of the utmost importance to John Bruton. John briskly extended his sincere sympathies, then launched into a lengthy attack on the IRA. And while there was unanimity of approval among the other party leaders for Gerry Adams' recent statement, the Fine Gael leader wasn't in such a welcoming frame of mind.
"Words are the only tools available to democratic politicians to convey meaning. Today's emergency legislation is only a collection of words. Words are important. The meaning of words is crucial," said John. "The meaning of the statement 'the war is over' is crucial, and very simple. Why will the IRA not say the war is over?"
Yet Bertie, Mary and the rest seem happy enough with the statement. "Groundbreaking," said Mary. "Significant development," said Ruairi. "Represents a step forward and marks the most significant rejection of violence yet expressed by any leader of the Republican movement," said Proinsias, with reservations.
Tony Blair and Bill Clinton seem similarly satisfied. Even the Ulster Unionists appear to be inching forward.
Was it not like that when John was Taoiseach, and inside Castle buildings? Inside the loop? Or were things done differently during his term stewarding the Republic's end of the peace process? He seemed somehow out of step yesterday - but perhaps he is right to differ.
Words. It's like all the people involved in the process are around a huge scrabble board, with a big heap of letters to one side. Slowly, painstakingly and with a plenty of arguments along the way, they gradually form words. As the letters go onto the board, the fear that somebody will walk past and kick it over grows stronger and stronger.
Words. Listening to Sinn Fein's Caoimhghin O Caolain juggle is quite often a trial. Yesterday, it was particularly difficult to listen to him.
But he is a member of Dail Eireann, and of a political party that appears committed to making the peace process work . . .
"The bombing of Omagh was an attack on the peace process in general and on the Sinn Fein peace strategy in particular. It ran completely contrary to the democratic consensus among Irish republicans. Those who carried out the bombing hold themselves accountable to no community or political constituency," said Caoimhghin.
Brendan McGahon couldn't stomach the Sinn Fein deputy's contribution, nor, indeed, the contributions of most others in the house. He began his passionate and earthy speech with "I know it's not cricket to say I told you so, but..."
And had Caoimhghin still been in the chamber, he would have heard McGahon urging him to "hold his head in shame". As for his party leaders McGuinness and Adams: "they are the bastards that have brought Ireland to its knees, and now there they are posing as international statesmen."
The Ceann Comhairle didn't pull him up for unparliamentary language. "I am not politically correct," bellowed Brendan, with touching understatement. Had there been a big crowd in the gallery though, it's Brendan who would probably got the round of applause.
But they were still only words. As the Taoiseach and his team are aware, more important things.
Miriam Lord
WORDS, words, words. More solidarity, more sympathy, more condolences. The sombre atmosphere around Dail Eireann yesterday matched the mood of the deputies.
From Bertie Ahern, through the various party leaders, down along the political pecking order, one after another, deputies rose to express their feelings on the Omagh bombing.
Nothing new was said - we've heard it all. But our elected representatives were articulating the view of the nation for the public record. And while there was a temptation to hit the snooze button after the first few hours of eloquent commiseration, we knew that the ritual taking place in the Dail chamber was a necessary one.
Words were of the utmost importance to John Bruton. John briskly extended his sincere sympathies, then launched into a lengthy attack on the IRA. And while there was unanimity of approval among the other party leaders for Gerry Adams' recent statement, the Fine Gael leader wasn't in such a welcoming frame of mind.
"Words are the only tools available to democratic politicians to convey meaning. Today's emergency legislation is only a collection of words. Words are important. The meaning of words is crucial," said John. "The meaning of the statement 'the war is over' is crucial, and very simple. Why will the IRA not say the war is over?"
Yet Bertie, Mary and the rest seem happy enough with the statement. "Groundbreaking," said Mary. "Significant development," said Ruairi. "Represents a step forward and marks the most significant rejection of violence yet expressed by any leader of the Republican movement," said Proinsias, with reservations.
Tony Blair and Bill Clinton seem similarly satisfied. Even the Ulster Unionists appear to be inching forward.
Was it not like that when John was Taoiseach, and inside Castle buildings? Inside the loop? Or were things done differently during his term stewarding the Republic's end of the peace process? He seemed somehow out of step yesterday - but perhaps he is right to differ.
Words. It's like all the people involved in the process are around a huge scrabble board, with a big heap of letters to one side. Slowly, painstakingly and with a plenty of arguments along the way, they gradually form words. As the letters go onto the board, the fear that somebody will walk past and kick it over grows stronger and stronger.
Words. Listening to Sinn Fein's Caoimhghin O Caolain juggle is quite often a trial. Yesterday, it was particularly difficult to listen to him.
But he is a member of Dail Eireann, and of a political party that appears committed to making the peace process work . . .
"The bombing of Omagh was an attack on the peace process in general and on the Sinn Fein peace strategy in particular. It ran completely contrary to the democratic consensus among Irish republicans. Those who carried out the bombing hold themselves accountable to no community or political constituency," said Caoimhghin.
Brendan McGahon couldn't stomach the Sinn Fein deputy's contribution, nor, indeed, the contributions of most others in the house. He began his passionate and earthy speech with "I know it's not cricket to say I told you so, but..."
And had Caoimhghin still been in the chamber, he would have heard McGahon urging him to "hold his head in shame". As for his party leaders McGuinness and Adams: "they are the bastards that have brought Ireland to its knees, and now there they are posing as international statesmen."
The Ceann Comhairle didn't pull him up for unparliamentary language. "I am not politically correct," bellowed Brendan, with touching understatement. Had there been a big crowd in the gallery though, it's Brendan who would probably got the round of applause.
But they were still only words. As the Taoiseach and his team are aware, more important things.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/132
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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