The Irish Mail on Sunday

Step up, Sinn Féin, and stop Brexit in its tracks

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ALL we hear is ‘hard Brexit’, ‘soft Brexit’, ‘Brexit this’, ‘Brexit that’, none of which is good for this little island.

But there is a way out that solves the problem for everyone by delivering no Brexit. But this will not happen while the UK government is driven by quasi-empire supporters.

The only people who can put an end to this are also driven by an out-of-date ideology that deserts the Irish people they claim to represent. These people are the elected members of Sinn Féin.

They claim that they are bound by their ethos not to take up their seats in Westminste­r. That was fine when we were part of the UK. That all ended with the Good Friday Agreement. That agreement, for the first time, had the UK government recognise our right to unity.

All we needed to do was make Ireland a place where the unionists would be happier than as part of the UK. And we are getting closer and closer to that with our constituti­onal changes and strong economy.

But that can all be lost if Brexit occurs. Brexit means a border.

So, please, Sinn Féin, join 21st century Ireland, take your seats and defeat Brexit.

John Colgan, Fairview, Dublin 3.

A REAL choice

WITH the presidenti­al election nomination­s coming to an end, I was wondering if the Government could attach two extra boxes to the ballot paper?

I believe in freedom of choice and I would love to see a true democratic view.

The first box at the bottom of the list of candidates should read: ‘I do not have confidence in any of the above candidates.’ This box should also be included in all future elections, local, national and European.

The last box should read: ‘I would like to abolish the position of President of Ireland.’

At least you would have a choice, so there shouldn’t be any excuse for the voter not to turn up at the polling stations.

Philip Mann, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Hurling legend

I AM a daughter of the late, great Mick Gill of Galway and Dublin hurling fame. I was annoyed not to see his name in the list of the 10 most important figures in hurling history (MoS, September 9). My late father is a legend in the game, being the only man to win two All-Ireland hurling medals in the same year, one with Galway in the postponed 1923 final, not played until 1924. Then he played with Dublin in the 1924 final and won his second medal.

This should surely be one of the most historic achievemen­ts of all times: two All-Ireland hurling medals in the same year.

Angela Gill, Dublin 13.

Women referees?

WELL done to the Dublin and Cork players for serving up a spectacula­r All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football final at Croke Park last Sunday.

There was no shortage of skill and style on the pitch, with the entertainm­ent levels rising above what was on offer in the men’s decider two weeks earlier.

However, it was a pity to see no female referees in any of the three finals, and it was the same case for the camogie deciders seven days before that.

Liz Lawless, Navan, Co. Meath.

Lessons they can use

SQUATTER organisati­on Take Back the City wants to train others in squatting techniques.

Would it not be more beneficial if they trained them in better budgeting and how to fill out job applicatio­n forms?

Margaret Walshe, Dublin 15,

Focus, please

I AGREE with Philip Nolan (TV review, MoS, September 16) that Claire Byrne Live and other discussion programmes should concentrat­e on one or two topics and not continue to have so many issues discussed that none is given the proper time for adequate considerat­ion.

I have given up on watching these programmes for that reason and because they are not always balanced.

Mary Stewart, Donegal town.

Stay home, Eoghan

ANYONE watching the Six One News on RTÉ on Thursday might have seen Minister Eoghan Murphy out with an ESB Networks Repair Crew, who were reconnecti­ng some of the electricit­y customers who had been without power following Storm Ali. I was amused, in that earlier in the day an ESB spokesman assured customers: ‘Electricit­y will be restored to everyone affected during today.’

Then, after Mr Murphy had been interviewe­d – out helping the ESB crews, and kitted out in protective equipment – the ESB issued another statement to say: ‘Some electricit­y customers will not have their power back for several more days.’

Maybe Minister Murphy should have stayed in his office?

Tom Baldwin, Midleton, Co. Cork.

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timE pRESSURE: Claire Byrne
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