Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Northern Ireland Sports Minister at Páirc Esler
He may be a young-Earther, but the DUP’s Edwin Poots has just been welcomed by GAA president Nickey Brennan at Páirc Esler, Newry, to watch the McKenna Cup game between Down and Donegal in his official capacity as Northern Ireland Sports Minister. Adds Presumably the MLA for Lagan Valley cheered when Down crushed Donegal..
Pete Baker @ 09:31 PM
Which unfortunate civil servant/aide had to give Poots a crash-course on the rules?
[Actually, who am I to talk? My son-in-law took me to Yankee Stadium—106 in the bleachers—Yankees beat Angels by some margin—and I’m still no wiser.]
Posted by on Jan 16, 2008 @ 09:54 PMStrange times. A DUP Minister respecting the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann in County Down. Did he stand?
Posted by on Jan 16, 2008 @ 10:36 PMI hope it was better than that shite at Casement Park.
Posted by on Jan 16, 2008 @ 10:50 PMAh no. Hammered. That was always a needle fixture when I was growing up. Too often went the same way when down had that triple All Ireland team.
Posted by on Jan 16, 2008 @ 10:52 PMMick,
How dare you talk sport on a GAA blog!
..but try being stuffed by a bunch of students and consider the lot of an Antrim man.
Posted by on Jan 16, 2008 @ 11:01 PMAn Dún 5-14 agus Tír Chonaill 0-13....gabh mo leithscéal Mick !
Posted by on Jan 16, 2008 @ 11:20 PMWhy would his being a Lagan Valley MLA make him happy that Down beat Donegal? LV is in Lisburn, County Antrim. I know you have been away a while Mick but do keep up.
Posted by on Jan 16, 2008 @ 11:46 PM[keep it civil - edited moderator] Of course Poots is ‘exceptionally positive’ towards the GAA when the knuckleheads at the top of the organisatoin are signing the rest of us up to the Maze without asking members how they feel about it.
Posted by on Jan 16, 2008 @ 11:50 PMBrendan: A significant part of the Lagan Valley constituency is in County Down.
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 12:01 AMHow perfectly ridiculous that someone should consider that the appearance or otherwise of some doofus or other at a football match should be more important than that the mighty Down won the match.
There’s no accountin’ for folk.
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 12:30 AMQuite right Tim. Brendan, I was crying into my own cups, no one else’s. Born in Antrim. Reared in Down. But a Donegal man till the end.
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 01:15 AMMaybe i’m missing the subtle sub plot here, but I thought this was a positive move by Poots and the GAA. More of the same. Both come out looking good so far. The BBC report quoted the GAA extensively and Brennan was full of praise for Poots, but no statement from Poots himself?
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 01:38 AMThat’s good to see, Poots does seem to be taking his cross-community responsibilities as a Minister seriously.
UUP beat him to it on this one though albeit by just a few weeks
- John McCallister MLA and Basil McCrea MLA went along to the Down club finals a few weeks ago, saw a good article in the Irish News about it (and a very positive editorial too)John even contributed a thoughtful piece to the local GAA yearbook about the experience - good on them, and good on Down GAA for inviting them.
I think its little things like this that will end up making the difference - most valid criticism of ‘peace process tm’ is that whilst we have the big guys sitting around the same cabinet table at last, its not reflected on the ground. Things like this go some little way towards addressing that.
“One small step” and all that…
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 03:58 AMAs a member I would welcome anybody to a match.If we are serious about bringing about a true sense of mutual respect in this part of the world ,we all have a duty to take steps outside our own personal comfort zones.Fair play to Edwin Poots for making the gesture.
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 05:19 AM“Strange times. A DUP Minister respecting the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann in County Down. Did he stand? “
Mark McGregorAccording to Morning Ireland, Poots arrived ten minutes late so he wouldn’t have to stand for the national anthem.
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 07:54 AMIt really is incredible that they actually play the Southern anthem before every game. Are they really that insecure?
Do they play it before every club game as well?
Was the Southern flag flying at the match?
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 08:35 AM“It really is incredible that they actually play the Southern anthem before every game. Are they really that insecure?
Do they play it before every club game as well?”
No, only at inter-county fixtures.
Though I recall a Fermanagh v Armagh hurling league game where they dispensed with the formalities.
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 09:25 AMDo the unioists still play the English anthem in the northeast of Ireland?
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 09:35 AMozy wrote:
‘I think its little things like this that will end up making the difference - most valid criticism of ‘peace process tm’ is that whilst we have the big guys sitting around the same cabinet table at last, its not reflected on the ground. Things like this go some little way towards addressing that. ‘whole-heartedly agree. next step, Big Ian and Wee Marty dressed as lepracauns on St Paddies day, and then with their bowler hats on the 12th!!
On a serious note, these are huge steps foward. Well done Poots and the GAA.
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 09:35 AMI don’t follow the GAA but I do like catching it on tv from time to time. But to echo Willowfield’s point, why is the Irish national anthem played before games such as these? Indeed, why is any anthem played? Considering the deeply divided nature of NI is there really any need for it or are they simply comfortable in the knowledge that no-one in attendance will be offended.
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 09:47 AMAt first glance this seems like a positive step but when one considers that the GAA is required by its own constitution to promote the interests of the Irish language, is it wise to give Poots such positive publicity?
He has stopped the Irish broadcasting fund citing poverity, despite returning 10 million or 1/3 of his budget, he refuses to meet Irish language groups, he has adversly affected the funds going to Foras na Gaeilge and of course has stopped the Irish language Act. Very successful for his point of view of course.
Of course the GAA is protecting its own interests but they should think deeply about where Poot’s anti-Gaelic agenda will move once he has satisfied himself with the language.
I for one was always glad to see the tricolor flying at the GAA ground, a reminder that a least one all-Ireland organisation valued northern nationalists as a part of the Irish nation.
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 09:59 AMPure window dressing on the part of Poots. When he’s at his desk he’s busy axing the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, the same fund which part financed Kings, an Irish language film which has been nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Film in the ‘Foreign’ Language Catergory at the Awards. It’s on the long list currently and next week the announcement will be made as to the short list.
His attendance at a GAA match cuts no ice with Irish language supporters who have watched him also halt the Irish Language Act and it ill behoves the GAA to invite a politician who has inflicted such damage on An Ghaeilge, which the GAA is supposed to promote.
Now questions are being asked by Irish National Caucus President, Sean McManus on Capitol Hill: Here’s the statement he issued yesterday and which is featured in today’s edition of Lá Nua (http://www.nuacht.com).
Disrespect for Irish Language Harms Peace-Process
CAPITOL HILL. Wednesday, January 16, 2007 --- The US Congress is being told that disrespect for the Irish Language is harming the Irish peace-process and that the US must not in anyway subsidize that disrespect.
The Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus has written to key Members of Congress to take action to ensure that the United States does not in anyway “ subsidize anti-Irish language” policies.
“ Just as we spearheaded a very successful campaign, the Mac Bride Principles, to ensure that US dollars would not subsidize anti-Catholic discrimination, Irish-Americans must now take a stand against any and all discrimination against the ancient and beautiful Irish language”, said Caucus president, Fr. Sean Mc Manus.” “Members of Congress and the US. Government must express concern that Minister for Culture, Edwin Poots, seems to be determined to institutionalize anti-Irish-language policies”, Fr. Mc Manus explained. “ Minister Poots of the DUP has sabotaged the Irish Language Act, agreed to by the St. Andrew’s Agreement, and he has killed funding for the Irish Language broadcast sector by removing it from his budget”.
Fr. Mc Manus proceeded to point out that all of this appears to conflict with the very positive message that was given by the recent joint - visit to Washington by Dr. Paisley and Martin Mc Guinness: “ Mr. Poots is undercutting the positive image Dr. Paisley is trying to create in Washington both as First Minister and Leader of the DUP. How can Dr. Paisley convince Washington that the bad old days of anti-Catholic bigotry are over if one of his own Ministers is showing contempt for the Irish language? Surely that is no way to prepare for the upcoming economic conference in Belfast that Americans are so strongly supporting?”Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 10:18 AMI for one was always glad to see the tricolor [sic] flying at the GAA ground, a reminder that a least one all-Ireland organisation valued northern nationalists as a part of the Irish nation.
Links in nicely with the “nationalist myths” thread ... “The GAA is non-political and non-sectarian”.
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 10:24 AMGreat stuff, alright. Makes things real and normal. Go raibh maith agat, a hEdwin. B’fhéidir go cloisfeadh muid an cúpla focail roimh i bhfad?
On the points raised about flags and anthems, I agree. It would seem like overkill - sure, for the all-Ireland semis and finals, but EVERY inter-county game? (Of course, better again might be an agreed all-Ireland flag - and anthem? - if it would really be inviting to those marginalised by use of the South’s.)
Finally, Pete, could we please do without the constant hark to Poots being a “young Earther” at every mention of his name. Unless it’s relevant to his brief as Culture - not Science or Education - minister, it really doesn’t matter and is not helpful to anyone. There are times when it will be relevant, such as the Giant’s Causeway’s interpretative centre, but in this instance it’s not. It serves only to demean someone who, on the basis of this story alone, seems to be doing a good job.
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 10:29 AMOC - surely there’s a difference between creating “anti-Irish language” policies and not implementing “pro-Irish language” policies. Doesn’t have quite the same dramatic impact or lend itself so well to abject MOPEry though.
Posted by on Jan 17, 2008 @ 10:45 AM
