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Letters do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of
The Irish American Post. |
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Blair Accused of Negligence
Dear Editor:
Prof. Brice Dickson, the outgoing chief commissioner for human rights
in Northern Ireland, has accused Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government
of ignoring human rights issues and the Human Rights Commission. The Irish
American Unity Conference (IAUC) agrees with Prof. Dickson and believes
that in order for progress to be made in the Irish peace process this must
be remedied. The IAUC condemns the disregard of basic human rights issues
in Northern Ireland.
Confirming what many nationalists in Northern. Ireland had long believed,
Prof. Dickson’s stated in an open letter to Tony Blair that the British
government was not taking Human Rights issues seriously. He added, "Time
and time again, the Commission has submitted recommendations to government
only to have them totally rejected, or worse, ignored."
He pointed to delays in disclosing the truth regarding the murder of
Patrick Finucane, and "obstructionism" during the Bloody Sunday inquiry.
These actions, in his opinion, would have serious consequences for human
rights cases in Northern Ireland.
The Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the
terms of the Good Friday Agreement. Its role is to ensure the human rights
of everyone in Northern Ireland are protected in law, policy and practice.
Judge Andrew Somers, president of the IAUC, said, "Civil and human rights
are one of the key strands of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA). Human rights
issues are so essential that they need have resolved independently of other
political issues.
"Civil and human rights issues are at the heart of the conflicts in
Northern Ireland. In our opinion, if these issues had been handled expeditiously,
other issues in the peace process could have been solved long ago."
Judge Somers calls on the British government to do their clear duty
under the GFA. This includes immediately filling the position of chief
commissioner, appoint the necessary replacement commissioners, and give
past and future recommendations of that commission top priority.
The Irish American Unity Conference is a non- partisan, non-sectarian,
American based human rights organization working for peace and justice
for the people of the six counties in the north of Ireland.
— Deanna Turner
Irish American Unity Conference
iauc@iauc.org
Midwest Radio Launch Internet Radio Service
Dear Editor:
The Minister for the Marine Pat (The Cope) Gallagher was in Ballyhaunis
recently (May 12, 2005) helped launch Midwest Radio’s Internet radio service
entitled midwestirishradio.com. The service is completely separate to its
local output and is aimed at Irish emigrants all over the world with live
music programmes featuring all genres of Irish music.
The minister was loud in his praise of the fact that Midwest Radio were
the first station in the world to launch such a service and that their
"commitment and bravery" would be rewarded in the years ahead. The minister
said that the stations track record was one of success over a sustained
period of time and that whilst this project was a trip into the unknown
he was confident that it would further enhance the stations reputation.
"Midwest Radio have never feared the unknown in the past and I’m sure
they will relish the prospects of making this internet service an overwhelming
success. I am delighted to see Midwest take the lead in progressing this
concept and no doubt other players in the field will be watching its progress
closely," the Minister said.
Speaking on behalf of Midwest Radio its chief executive Paul Claffey
said that the internet station was now completely "stand alone" and that
the response from emigrants around the world in the pilot stages of the
service was highly encouraging.
"We expected the huge response we are getting from Irish people all
over the world but what has surprised us is the massive amounts of emails
coming in everyday from people in all corners of the world that have no
connection of any description with Ireland, yet are embracing the service
for its musical content."
What is unique about the service is that it features all genres of Irish
music 24 hours a day to include folk, ballad, traditional, pop, middle-of-the-road
and country and is intermingled with live broadcasters to ensure a live
‘feel’ to proceedings.
"This project is not for the faint-hearted. Naturally it is putting
an extra strain on our resources but we firmly believe in the concept and
that this is the way forward. The broadcasting industry is ever changing.
Our new studios offer us the perfect infrastructure to progress our ideas
and internet radio has massive potential," Claffey said.
Midwest Radio moved into a new state-of-the-art broadcast centre last
year and major refurbishments are almost complete to its studios in both
Castlebar and Ballina.
"The most important thing now is that we get the message out to people
that there is a fully-dedicated Irish radio service available on the net
that is unique and different. We plan some exciting programmes in the months
ahead and as the service grows so too will our capabilities be to produce
specialised programme features for the service" Claffey concluded.
— Keith Fahey
Ballyhaunis, Ireland
keith@mnwr.ie |
