COMMON VOICE SOUGHT FROM ASSEMBLY MEMBERS
COMMON VOICE SOUGHT FROM ASSEMBLY MEMBERS
Sir,
Week after week there are statements in our local papers from SDLP, Sinn Fein and Unionist Assembly members on many different topics.
Matters like education, transportation, farming and of course, our hospital and health service are all the subject of individual party statements.
Because they are just that they lack weight and impetus and are largely seen as party political propaganda.
Out of the horror of the Omagh bomb came some good things. From a sharing of sorrows came a sense of community togetherness, an understanding that in death and suffering we are all the same.
Extraordinarily, there was a deep feeling of goodwill and an unbelievable absence of bitterness. The mood of Omagh was an outreaching across barriers, a coming together.
Largely because of this, there was much goodwill directed towards the Omagh area. Everyone wanted to help and, in the corridors of power, important people were looking for channels to promote employment, rebuild the town and help in all kinds of ways.
Sadly, after six months goodwill is being eroded by inactivity. Our politicians have misread, misunderstood or are maybe just not up to the challenge of Omagh.
While nobody expects nationalists and unionists to follow a totally common agenda party politics must have some role -some of the major problems of West Tyrone require a common approach, a sinking of party individuality.
Our hospital is currently the biggest problem, yet it took a consultant doctor to point out the need for political unity to make a case for hospital services.
Future generations will not easily forgive our first Assembly members and our M.P. unless they act as an effective team - because otherwise Omagh will be quietly forgotten.
On behalf of the people of West Tyrone could all the Assembly politicians come together urgently to present a common voice on the major issues of this area?
Dermot McCormack
West Tyrone Alliance Agent
Sir,
Week after week there are statements in our local papers from SDLP, Sinn Fein and Unionist Assembly members on many different topics.
Matters like education, transportation, farming and of course, our hospital and health service are all the subject of individual party statements.
Because they are just that they lack weight and impetus and are largely seen as party political propaganda.
Out of the horror of the Omagh bomb came some good things. From a sharing of sorrows came a sense of community togetherness, an understanding that in death and suffering we are all the same.
Extraordinarily, there was a deep feeling of goodwill and an unbelievable absence of bitterness. The mood of Omagh was an outreaching across barriers, a coming together.
Largely because of this, there was much goodwill directed towards the Omagh area. Everyone wanted to help and, in the corridors of power, important people were looking for channels to promote employment, rebuild the town and help in all kinds of ways.
Sadly, after six months goodwill is being eroded by inactivity. Our politicians have misread, misunderstood or are maybe just not up to the challenge of Omagh.
While nobody expects nationalists and unionists to follow a totally common agenda party politics must have some role -some of the major problems of West Tyrone require a common approach, a sinking of party individuality.
Our hospital is currently the biggest problem, yet it took a consultant doctor to point out the need for political unity to make a case for hospital services.
Future generations will not easily forgive our first Assembly members and our M.P. unless they act as an effective team - because otherwise Omagh will be quietly forgotten.
On behalf of the people of West Tyrone could all the Assembly politicians come together urgently to present a common voice on the major issues of this area?
Dermot McCormack
West Tyrone Alliance Agent
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1318
Published Date: 25-Feb-99
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