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Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on diaspora voting: broaden the franchise for presidential elections
The question of whether Irish citizens living abroad and in Northern Ireland should be allowed to vote in presidential elections has lingered for too long in the realm of deferral and indecision. This is despite previous commitments on the matter and the importance of the office for many Irish people who live outside the State but still identify with the nation. Only citizens ordinarily resident in the jurisdiction may vote in national elections. This excludes over a million Irish-born people living overseas and an even larger number in Northern Ireland who have a right to Irish citizenship. The rationale for this has traditionally rested on the idea that only those who live with the consequences of State policy should have a say in shaping it. But the presidency is not a policy-making office. It is a symbolic and unifying institution, often acting as a bridge between Ireland and its global citizens. Every president since Mary Robinson has embraced that role. The office embodies not only the State but the wider idea of the Irish nation. There is a strong argument that the franchise should reflect the broader Irish family, including those who have left. Extending voting rights to Irish citizens living north of the Border would be an act of constitutional generosity consistent with the spirit of the Belfast Agreement. It would recognise them as part of the national community without prejudicing their political preferences. READ MORE A referendum on the issue was announced in 2017 with cross-party support. It was delayed by Brexit and then shelved during the pandemic. Since then, political will has quietly dissipated. The Government now appears unwilling to reignite the debate, despite previous commitments and strong support from diaspora organisations. Minister of State for the Diaspora, Neale Richmond, said this week that the Government was concerned a referendum on the issue could be defeated if there was insufficient debate and consultation in advance of the vote. But it is in the Government's own gift to start that process. It should do so without further delay.
Irish Times
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Senator George Mitchell: The man Ian Paisley called ‘a foreigner and a pro-Irish republican'
In the months after the signing of the Belfast Agreement in April 1998, a letter arrived in the morning post at the homes of more than a few journalists in Ireland and Britain. It was an unusual one. I was one of those to receive it – a personal note of thanks from former US senator George Mitchell , the man who had chaired the years of tortuous negotiations in Stormont. In it, he said he deeply appreciated the role the press plays, particularly in a divided society. I was struck by his decision to pen letters to the same reporters who had questioned him, his motivations and his handling of the talks at every turn. This was so especially given that by then he was back home in New York with his wife and young son and could have been forgiven for never wanting to think about Northern Ireland , its people or its politicians ever again. We were used to dealing with stuffy, aloof British government ministers sent to Belfast , often as a punishment. But Mitchell was cut from a different cloth, always approachable, open, interested. READ MORE Agreement in Northern Ireland did not come overnight. It took many painful months and years. But George Mitchell stuck at it, keeping the negotiators at the table, despite the violence that continued on the streets. Photograph: Jan McCullough George Mitchell filming in his home town of Waterville, Maine. Photograph: Jan McCullough When he and his wife, Heather, returned to Belfast in April 2023 for the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement, he stole the show at an event at Queen's University, even in the presence of Tony Blair, Bill Clinton and others. [ 'A handful of hopefuls can create change': George Mitchell passes on the torch to a new generation Opens in new window ] His words that day were typical of the man from Maine. He celebrated the achievement of the historic accord, but he also implored everyone to do more, to continue to build on the peace, not to take it for granted. I left Queen's that day not only determined to document what he had achieved while in Belfast, but to also understand what it was from his background that made him such a successful negotiator. When his son, Andrew, was born in October 1997 during one of the most fruitless chapters of the talks, one of his staff told him that 61 children had been born in Northern Ireland on the same day – children who deserved to grow up in peace. It was a thought that drove him often. He should never have been in Northern Ireland. The senator from the state of Maine had passed up an opportunity to be President Clinton's pick for the Supreme Court. In January 1995, he became Clinton's economic adviser on Northern Ireland. Having organised that year's Washington economic conference on Northern Ireland, he drafted the Mitchell Principles to help bring Sinn Féin and the loyalist parties into the talks, if they accepted exclusively peaceful means. George Mitchell with film-maker Trevor Birney (centre) and film crew in Waterville, Maine Few were surprised when he was Dublin and London's first choice to chair the talks, even if it provoked outrage from Ian Paisley in early 1996, who said the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) would quit if Mitchell arrived. 'This is about whether George Mitchell, a foreigner and a pro-Irish republican, should preside at talks that have the future destiny of Northern Ireland at hand,' the DUP leader charged. Many others were simply amazed that such a senior US figure would dedicate his time to finding a solution to a conflict deemed unfixable, where so many other efforts had failed before. That was his art, it was never about him. When we set out to make The Negotiator, it was with a desire to discover what had shaped him as a man, as a politician and as a skilled negotiator He quietly went about gaining the trust of those who would occupy Castle Buildings on Stormont's grounds for two years. Resolutions are not found in public. They are hidden in the cracks and crevices of differences. Mitchell's attention to granular detail and his ability to listen with intention allowed him to reach a deep understanding of the conflict that ultimately led to compromise and agreement. Film-maker, Trevor Birney I was one of the many journalists who gathered daily outside the gates of Castle Buildings on Stormont's grounds, attempting to find something new to say. Even though I was very junior, Mitchell and his team were always approachable and helpful as journalists sought to find where truth lay between the briefings and counter-briefings from the governments and the political parties. [ George Mitchell: Northern Ireland's peace must evolve. And if it is here to stay it must be shared Opens in new window ] Agreement did not come overnight. It took many painful months and years. But Mitchell stuck at it, keeping the negotiators at the table, despite the violence that continued on the streets. He could have issued ultimatums and deadlines. Instead, he let everyone air their grievances, day after day. People had to be heard, and to feel that they had been heard. An agreement would be written by them, not dictated by him. That was his art, it was never about him. When we set out to make The Negotiator, it was with a desire to discover what had shaped him as a man, as a politician and as a skilled negotiator. In large part, the answer was found in his home state of Maine, where he honed his political skills as a young lawyer. His mother, who could not read or write, was from Bkassine in southern Lebanon. His Boston-born father had been adopted by a Lebanese-American family. George and his four siblings had a humble childhood, living in a two-room shack by the side of the Kennebec river in Waterville. Early on, he learned that listening to others was the key. Later, as a US senator for Maine, he spent six years finding an agreement over Maine's Acadia National Park's boundaries – an issue that had caused bitter local division for 25 years: 'Patience is a muscle,' he said. Leaving Queen's at the end of the 25th anniversary celebrations, I felt that we had failed properly to document his life, and the road that brought him to Belfast despite all of the time that he had spent in the city. Before he left, I asked him whether he would take part in a documentary charting his life. Thankfully, he agreed. Over several days, we interviewed him at the Mitchells' family home on Mount Desert Island, and also in New York. [ George Mitchell says Belfast Agreement will always be a challenge Opens in new window ] There was a lot of life to cram into one film. In Northern Ireland, he had achieved something that was widely accepted as impossible – a political settlement that brought an apparently intractable conflict to an end. There are busts of him in Belfast. A Colin Davidson portrait celebrates him in New York. People still want to shake his head and tell him they had believed that he was doomed to fail, but were grateful that he had not. Today, for all its flaws, the Belfast our daughters have grown up in was gifted by those who took risks for peace in an agreement hammered out in Castle Buildings on days when there was often little hope. There were many peacemakers, but Mitchell was at the centre. His legacy stands as a beacon: conflicts can be solved if people learn to listen, to properly listen. Where patience is a muscle. The lesson, according to George Mitchell. Journalist Trevor Birney's projects have included producing the Kneecap film and writing a book and making a documentary about businessman Seán Quinn. His documentary The Negotiator was released this week.
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Senator Michael McDowell tells court he's only met two politicians who didn't believe Gerry Adams was in IRA
MICHAEL McDowell told a jury in Gerry Adams' case that he has never met any politician - apart from Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris - who did not believe the former Sinn Fein president was a member of the Provisional IRA. Senator McDowell, a former Tanaiste and attorney general, was giving evidence at the 2 Gerry Adams claims the BBC defamed him Credit: 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved The On Wednesday, asked by BBC counsel Paul Gallagher SC about Mr Adams' reputation among the public, Mr McDowell said that Mr Adams' is known as a politician now, who was a leading member of the IRA, and who was active in the He said he was reputed to have been a chief negotiator between the provisional movement and the British government in the 1970s, and thereafter, he was reputed to have a role in the READ MORE ON GERRY ADAMS Following this he was reputed to have become a member of the IRA's army council, Mr McDowell said. Asked, in his view, how widespread these views are, Mr McDowell said that excluding former He said during the peace process that immediately following the Belfast Agreement in 1998, the view of those in the Asked more generally about Mr Adams' reputation among politicians, Mr McDowell said that he has never met any politician that did not believe he was a leading member of the IRA during its armed campaign, and thereafter a dominant figure within its Most read in Irish News Earlier, Ann Travers, whose sister was killed by the IRA in 1984, said Mr Adams' reputation was that of a 'warmonger'. She said she believed this because of his support of the IRA and 'the murder of innocent people'. 2 Michael McDowell told a jury in Gerry Adams' case that he has never met any politician - apart from Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris - who did not believe he was an IRA member Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Senator tells defamation case Gerry Adams 'was a dominant character within the IRA'
Gerry Adams has a reputation among the public for being a member of the Provisional IRA's decision-making body, known as the army council, a senator and former attorney general has told the High Court. Michael McDowell also said that members of the Irish Government, in the time following the Belfast Agreement in 1998, considered the former Sinn Féin president an army council member, based on intelligence briefings. Mr McDowell was giving evidence in the fourth week of a civil trial of Mr Adams's defamation action against the BBC. Mr Adams claims a BBC Spotlight programme and a related article published in 2016 defamed him by falsely accusing him of sanctioning British agent Denis Donaldson's killing at a cottage in Glenties, Co Donegal, in 2006. Mr Adams's lawyers argue his reputation is that of a 'peacemaker', and the allegation represents an 'unjustified attack' on his reputation. He insists he had no involvement with the death for which dissident republicans claimed responsibility in 2009. The BBC denies it defamed Mr Adams. On Wednesday, asked by BBC senior counsel Paul Gallagher about Mr Adams's reputation among the public, Mr McDowell said he is known as a politician who was a leading member of the IRA and active in the IRA during its period of 'armed struggle'. Mr McDowell, who was called by the BBC to give evidence, said Gerry Adams (pictured) was reputed to have been a chief negotiator between the provisional movement and the British government in the 1970s and, thereafter, he was reputed to have a role in the Belfast IRA as its officer commanding. Photo Collins Courts Mr McDowell, who was called by the BBC to give evidence, said Mr Adams was reputed to have been a chief negotiator between the provisional movement and the British government in the 1970s and, thereafter, he was reputed to have a role in the Belfast IRA as its officer commanding. Following this he was believed to have become a member of the IRA's army council, Mr McDowell said. He said that during the peace process, immediately following the Belfast Agreement in 1998, the view of those in the Irish Government, based on intelligence briefings, was that Mr Adams was a leading member of the army council, along with Sinn Féin politicians Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris. John Kerr, barrister for Mr Adams, put it to Mr McDowell that he has made no secret of his hatred of Sinn Féin. In response, Mr McDowell said: 'I abominate what they have done in the past and what they did do in the past. 'I also abominate their dishonesty about what they did do and their willingness to lie about that,' he said. Mr McDowell agreed Sinn Féin and Mr Adams played a key role in negotiations leading up to the Belfast Agreement. However, he said Mr Adams represented himself 'entirely falsely' as a go-between for the IRA and the political process, when in fact 'he was a dominant character within the IRA at the time'. Mr McDowell said he gives 'the credit of common sense' to Mr Adams for recognising that the IRA had been defeated. Ann Travers testimony Ann Travers then told the jury that while walking from Mass, her sister was killed and her father Thomas, a magistrate, was shot six times. She said there was also an attempt on her mother's life. She said she is an advocate for South East Fermanagh Foundation, a support group for victims of violence with about 5,000 members. She said victims' groups see Mr Adams as a senior member of the IRA and of Sinn Féin and who was 'heavily involved' with the murder of innocent people. Under cross-examination from Declan Doyle SC, for Mr Adams, Ms Travers said Mr Adams has 'cast a long and dark shadow' over her life, and said she 'would even have a fear of him'. She disagreed with the suggestions Mr Adams's reputation is that of a peacemaker. She did not agree that there would be no peace in Northern Ireland were it not for Mr Adams. Trevor Ringland, a solicitor and former Irish rugby international, was also called by the BBC on Wednesday, and said Mr Adams had a reputation as a 'peacetaker', rather than a 'peacemaker'. Mr Doyle, for Mr Adams, noted Mr Ringland was previously associated with the Ulster Unionist Party and previously joined the Northern Ireland branch of the UK Conservative Party. The trial continues before Mr Justice Alexander Owens. Read More Senator tells Gerry Adams defamation case he was known to politicians as leading member of the IRA
Irish Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ex-Tanaiste gives his take on Gerry Adams and IRA membership in defamation case
Senator Michael McDowell has told a jury in Gerry Adams' defamation case that he has never met any politician – apart from Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris – that did not believe the former Sinn Féin president was a member of the Provisional IRA. Mr McDowell, a former tánaiste and attorney general, was giving evidence at the High Court on the fourth week of a trial hearing into Mr Adams' action. Mr Adams claims a BBC Spotlight programme and a related article published in 2016 defamed him by falsely accusing him of sanctioning British agent Denis Donaldson's killing at a cottage in Glenties, Co Donegal, in 2006. The BBC denies it defamed Mr Adams, who insists he had no involvement in the death, which dissident republicans claimed responsibility for in 2009. On Wednesday, asked by BBC counsel Paul Gallagher SC about Mr Adams' reputation among the public, Mr McDowell said that Mr Adams' is known as a politician now, who was a leading member of the IRA, and who was active in the IRA during its period of 'armed struggle'. He said he was reputed to have been a chief negotiator between the provisional movement and the British government in the 1970s, and thereafter, he was reputed to have a role in the Belfast IRA as its officer commanding. Following this he was reputed to have become a member of the IRA's army council, Mr McDowell said. Asked, in his view, how widespread these views are, Mr McDowell said that excluding former Sinn Féin politicians Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris, he'd never met anyone in the 'political process or the media' who did not believe he was in the IRA, 'and who have not treated him on that basis'. He said during the peace process that immediately following the Belfast Agreement in 1998, the view of those in the Irish Government, based on intelligence briefings, was that Mr Adams was a leading member of the army council, along with Mr McGuinness and Mr Ferris. Asked more generally about Mr Adams' reputation among politicians, Mr McDowell said that he has never met any politician that did not believe he was a leading member of the IRA during its armed campaign, and thereafter a dominant figure within its army council. Mr McDowell is yet to be cross-examined. Earlier, Ann Travers, whose sister was killed by the IRA in 1984, said Mr Adams' reputation was that of a 'warmonger'. She said she believed this because of his support of the IRA and 'the murder of innocent people'. Ms Travers told the jury that while walking from Mass, her sister was killed, her father was shot six times, and said there was also an attempt on her mother's life. The witness said she was an advocate for South East Fermanagh Foundation, a support group for victims of violence with about 5,000 members. She said Mr Adams' reputation within victims' groups as someone 'heavily involved' with the murder of innocent people, and as a senior member of the IRA, and senior member of Sinn Féin. Under cross-examination from Declan Doyle SC, for Mr Adams, Ms Travers said Mr Adams has 'cast a long and dark shadow' over her life, and said she 'would even have a fear of him'. She said that when she speaks to people about Mr Adams, most roll their eyes and their heads. When put to the witness by Mr Doyle that Mr Adams' reputation is that of a peacemaker, she said: 'I'm very sorry, but I would disagree.' She said that if she were to be asked about peacemakers in the context of Northern Ireland, the first person she would think of is John Hume. Asked if she agreed that Northern Ireland is peaceful now compared to during The Troubles, she said: 'Of course, we should all be grateful we're not getting murdered anymore.' Mr Doyle put it to the witness that her evidence was tainted by personal hurt and tragedy, and a personal animus against Mr Adams. Ms Travers denied this, adding, 'obviously, I don't love Mr Adams'. Put to the witness that there would be no peace in Northern Ireland were it not for Mr Adams, and that that is his reputation, she said she didn't agree. The trial, before Mr Justice Alexander Owens, continues.
