For everyone’s sake, Sinn Féin must return to power-sharing

RECENTLY I was questioned in a random telephone poll as to my opinion on the proposition of a united Ireland.

In the subsequent published result, I’ve noticed a majority of contributors share my view that a united Ireland would be an ideal outcome, even allowing for the additional related costs.

However, to commence this journey will firstly require respect and agreement between all political strands in the North.

While a full wasted year has passed since the fall of the Stormont Assembly, there seems little hope of its immediate revival.

It is my belief that Sinn Féin share most of blame for the logjam. Its insistence that the Irish language be placed on par with the English language, in the North, is pure nonsense and clearly can not be accepted by Arlene Foster and her Democratic Unionist Party members.

I appreciate the language and wish I had the ability to converse in Gaeilge. I attribute my lack of ability in this area to the unenlightened teaching method applied during my school days.

Now Sinn Féin are proposing to impose a similar burden on the unionist community in return for that party’s agreement to participate in governing.

Sinn Féin was often admired for its astute political strategy but now, because of its impossible demands, it has put itself out in the frosty cold.

That party lost a golden opportunity to compromise when Arlene Foster attended the funeral of Martin McGuinness in Derry.

While many of us who attended there did so to show our respect for his major part in creating the Good Friday/Belfast agreement, Mrs Foster took a brave step in her decision to attend. By her presence she extended her hand, in friendship, but Sinn Féin was not gracious enough to grasp it and complete a friendly céad míle fáilte.

It must be remembered the 1998 peace process belonged to us all on the island of Ireland, and without constant support it could wilt. Those politicians charged, by the Northern electorate, must commence to do their duty before it is too late. DENIS O’HIGGINS, Monaghan.

Tuning out

WHAT is the point of RTÉ One+1, the channel that shows RTÉ One with an hour delay?

Last Saturday night I went out and arrived home just before 1am. I switched on my TV and thought I would watch a movie if one was starting soon.

I saw one had started on RTÉ One just before 12midnight. The film looked promising so I thought I’ll watch it on RTÉ One+1.

However just as the film was about to start I was greeted with the message: RTÉ One+1 returns at 7pm.

To my dismay this channel had closed down for the night!

What is the point of this channel if it closes down around midnight? Do the good people in RTÉ or whoever runs this channel on Saorview think that if you haven’t started watching a film before midnight you shouldn’t bother?

Surely if RTÉ is providing a time-shifted channel they can provide it 24 hours a day!

TOMMY RODDY, Galway.

Anti-social media

I FEEL sorry for chef Laura Goodman, who received death threats after posting a silly remark on Facebook about ‘spiking’ a vegan’s meal (Mail, Wednesday). This is just the latest example of the dangers of baring your soul on the internet. In the past, you would have phoned a friend to sound off about an incident that had annoyed you.

Now many people feel the need to share every aspect of their lives with people they don’t know.

Sadly, there are those who will respond with grotesque threats and vile taunts. There is a way to stop this happening: limit social media to your friends and family.

CLAUDIA NELSON, Surrey.