TAOISEACHS WELCOME DOESN'T PALE IN RED HAND COUNTY TOWN
Taoiseachs welcome doesn't pale in red hand county town
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
FOLLOWING a visit to the bomb site and the Garden of Remembrance during his visit to Omagh on Thursday last, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, attended a special meeting with Omagh Council.
Chairman Allan Rainey extended an official welcome "As first citizen of the district, I am delighted to officially welcome you, Taoiseach, to Omagh. On a personal level, I have already had the pleasure of meeting you on a few occasions.
"This is an historic occasion as your visit represents the first occasion on which we have hosted the leader of a country carrying the mantle of the presidency of the European Union."
The chairman went on to talk about atrocities in the district during the Troubles, including the 1998 bombing and offered the council's gratitude to the people of the Republic for their generosity and support at that time.
On the peace process, Cllr Rainey commented, "I would urge you to continue to use your influence as Taoiseach to find a way through the current impasse, so that we can become a fully inclusive society within a new Europe a Europe where religious, political and cultural intolerance has no place."
Concluding, the chairman commented, "On a lighter note, you are the first high profile Dublin supporter to have come to Tyrone since the Sam Maguire arrived in the Red Hand county. And it will come as little comfort to you, I am sure, that despite the recent reverse in Dublin when Mickey Harte fielded his reserve side, I have it on good authority that it will be some considerable time before Sam will be residing back inside the Pale."
The Taoiseach thanked him for the warm welcome, and expressed his pleasure at meeting with the council. He advised the rest of the councillors against making appeals for European money, much to the mirth of all present.
On behalf of Sinn Fein, Cllr Barry McElduff welcomed the Taoiseach and lobbied him for voting rights in Irish Presidential elections. Cllr McElduff also hoped that Omagh Post Office would soon be administering Irish passports.
Cllr Seamus Shields welcomed Mr Ahern on behalf of the SDLP group and mentioned the value of cross-border cooperation and the success of the Irish Cross-Border Area Network which he said had been successful in securing millions of pounds for the central border region. He concluded by wishing Mr Ahern well for the remainder of his six months spell as EU President.
Independent Cllr Paddy McGowan described himself and Cllr Johnny McLaughlin as "two roses among the thorns". He asked the Taoiseach to use his good offices with his Health Minister to speak to NIO Health Minister Angela Smith about the impending loss of hospital facilities in West Tyrone, and he appealed on behalf of the people of Omagh for the new hospital to be built here.
Former DUP MLA Cllr Oliver Gibson was positively glowing in the warmth of his welcome. Standing up to address the "Irish Prime minister," Mr Gibson said he was delighted that the chairman had reminded the council that the Red Hand was, in fact, a good symbol. He expressed his delight that the Taoiseach would be meeting some of the relatives of those killed in the Omagh bombing but he stressed that there were a further 97 tombstones in the constituency with some 1,820 people having been wounded due to "terrorist attacks".
Cllr Gibson went on to express his delight in the maturing of the relationship between the North and South which allowed each to regard the other as a good neighbour "in a post-nationalist, post-republican context".
The only remaining DUP member Cllr Tom Buchanan said he fully agreed with one thing that the Taoiseach had said "That people tied to murder and intimidation would not make good partners in government."
Cllr Buchanan went on to call for a new agreement that "doesn't discriminate against the unionist people".
Finally, vice-chairman Cllr Gerry O'Doherty acknowledged the great support Omagh had received from the EU and urged the Taoiseach not to forget Omagh when Peace III funding comes on-line "It will be put to very good use," promised Cllr O'Doherty.
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
FOLLOWING a visit to the bomb site and the Garden of Remembrance during his visit to Omagh on Thursday last, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, attended a special meeting with Omagh Council.
Chairman Allan Rainey extended an official welcome "As first citizen of the district, I am delighted to officially welcome you, Taoiseach, to Omagh. On a personal level, I have already had the pleasure of meeting you on a few occasions.
"This is an historic occasion as your visit represents the first occasion on which we have hosted the leader of a country carrying the mantle of the presidency of the European Union."
The chairman went on to talk about atrocities in the district during the Troubles, including the 1998 bombing and offered the council's gratitude to the people of the Republic for their generosity and support at that time.
On the peace process, Cllr Rainey commented, "I would urge you to continue to use your influence as Taoiseach to find a way through the current impasse, so that we can become a fully inclusive society within a new Europe a Europe where religious, political and cultural intolerance has no place."
Concluding, the chairman commented, "On a lighter note, you are the first high profile Dublin supporter to have come to Tyrone since the Sam Maguire arrived in the Red Hand county. And it will come as little comfort to you, I am sure, that despite the recent reverse in Dublin when Mickey Harte fielded his reserve side, I have it on good authority that it will be some considerable time before Sam will be residing back inside the Pale."
The Taoiseach thanked him for the warm welcome, and expressed his pleasure at meeting with the council. He advised the rest of the councillors against making appeals for European money, much to the mirth of all present.
On behalf of Sinn Fein, Cllr Barry McElduff welcomed the Taoiseach and lobbied him for voting rights in Irish Presidential elections. Cllr McElduff also hoped that Omagh Post Office would soon be administering Irish passports.
Cllr Seamus Shields welcomed Mr Ahern on behalf of the SDLP group and mentioned the value of cross-border cooperation and the success of the Irish Cross-Border Area Network which he said had been successful in securing millions of pounds for the central border region. He concluded by wishing Mr Ahern well for the remainder of his six months spell as EU President.
Independent Cllr Paddy McGowan described himself and Cllr Johnny McLaughlin as "two roses among the thorns". He asked the Taoiseach to use his good offices with his Health Minister to speak to NIO Health Minister Angela Smith about the impending loss of hospital facilities in West Tyrone, and he appealed on behalf of the people of Omagh for the new hospital to be built here.
Former DUP MLA Cllr Oliver Gibson was positively glowing in the warmth of his welcome. Standing up to address the "Irish Prime minister," Mr Gibson said he was delighted that the chairman had reminded the council that the Red Hand was, in fact, a good symbol. He expressed his delight that the Taoiseach would be meeting some of the relatives of those killed in the Omagh bombing but he stressed that there were a further 97 tombstones in the constituency with some 1,820 people having been wounded due to "terrorist attacks".
Cllr Gibson went on to express his delight in the maturing of the relationship between the North and South which allowed each to regard the other as a good neighbour "in a post-nationalist, post-republican context".
The only remaining DUP member Cllr Tom Buchanan said he fully agreed with one thing that the Taoiseach had said "That people tied to murder and intimidation would not make good partners in government."
Cllr Buchanan went on to call for a new agreement that "doesn't discriminate against the unionist people".
Finally, vice-chairman Cllr Gerry O'Doherty acknowledged the great support Omagh had received from the EU and urged the Taoiseach not to forget Omagh when Peace III funding comes on-line "It will be put to very good use," promised Cllr O'Doherty.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1637
Published Date: 26-Feb-04
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