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Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Inc.
New York State

News From the North

10/14/2015

 
PictureKevin Scott/Presseye - The Guardian Monday 13 July 2015 05.07 EDT
Dear Sisters,    

As we wait for some sign of progress, it appears that there is little hope that the Stormont Crisis is going to be resolved any time soon. The Northern Ireland Government consists of two independent institutions, the Assembly and the North/South Ministerial Council. While claiming to be representing the people of Northern Ireland, four Unionist ministers have resigned from the Assembly a total of 22 times in the past month, being reinstated every seven days so as to not lose their seat. The Unioinist leader – First Minister Peter Robinson has resigned, and it has been over four weeks since Northern Ireland has had a functioning government. The Democratic Unionists say there can't be business as usual due to the murder of a former IRA man in August.  

While there are 12 departments in the devolved government of Northern Ireland, four of them are without permanent leadership. The health, regional development and social development ministers have each resigned five times; the enterprise, trade and investment minister seven times. With only three-quarters of the government functioning, there are serious concerns in the health, business and public sectors. While claiming to want the best for the people of Northern Ireland, Simon Hamilton, who's been appointed health minister five times in four weeks is quoted as saying: "We don't want to walk away from the institutions completely because we believe the devolved institutions here at Stormont are the best thing for the people of Northern Ireland.”  

This ridiculous act of protest which has caused the Northern Ireland government to cease to function is reflective of a weak Unionist leadership who have been slowly losing ground and spotlight to the Sinn Fein and SDLP nationalist parties.  It took a totally unrelated street crime allegedly committed by a former IRA member for the opportunistic loyalists to again try to grab hold of some semblance of strength by drumming up fictitious stories of the IRA being a relevant, current organized group operating in the North. This baseless accusation was immediately transferred through old association onto the Sinn Fein leadership, the strongest growing political party on the Island. Once again the accusations fly, arrests are made, lots of spin and those arrested are released without charge. But of course the Assembly ceases to operate.

The driver of this action is a commensurate Unionist fear of their uncertain position in the future government. With the rise of Nationalist leaders showing the power of numbers in their registered voters, the growth and mentorship of responsible young adults coming out of Nationalist neighborhoods, educated, politically savvy and ready to take the helm is in stark contrast to the vitriolic displays from the loyalist neighborhoods including the low achievement scores of their students in schools receiving the lion’s share of state supplied funds, flag protests, riots during the marching season, antisocial bantering and dangerous bonfires surrounding the annual twelfth of July celebrations… the list goes on.  



So what will it take to end the stalemate.   At this point Secretary of State John Kerry has dispatched US Senator Gary Hart to Northern Ireland and Ireland with a specific itinerary to meet with both sides separately to try to push the Unioinists to the table. 

Sinn Féin MLA Martin McGuinness has stated that the US have a ‘key role to play in helping to achieve a resolution to the ongoing difficulties facing the political process’.

"Throughout the peace process, successive US administrations have played key roles in helping bring our society forward.” "I'm delighted that Gary Hart is involved once again and I think all parties should support him being afforded a significant role in the current talks as a recognition of the important influence and support which the US can bring to the table."

Just to put some numbers to this: 
Cost for flag protest December 2012 – March 2013: 20 Million Pounds
Loyalist Bands and Twelfth of July cost: Over 55 Million Pounds per year. 

​So while the days turn into weeks, and the cost of this stalemate is ever rising, we can only shake our heads and hope that this will be over soon.  However with no end to the parades and bonfires, the whining and occasional crawling into the closet or under the bed to hide from the truth or the certainty that their loyalist regime is fading, the economic future of Northern Ireland will be hard pressed to look optimistic.  

Dolores Desch
LAOH NYS
​Freedom For All Ireland Chair

Immigration Update: E3 Work Visa's for the Irish

10/11/2015

 
Our great country was built on the backs of Immigrants. Immigrants, who came to America, for many different reasons. Good, hard working people, looking for a new place to call home.

The Irish made up almost half of all immigrants in the United States in the 1840’s and one-third in the 1850’s.

Irish immigrants became good Americans without sacrificing their religious and cultural heritage. Today, the Irish are one of the most prosperous ethnic groups in the United States, significantly exceeding national averages on education levels, occupational status, income, and home ownership. To be Irish-American is to be part of a national success story.

A comprehensive immigration reform Bill was passed by the Democrat-led Senate in 2013 which included 10,500 new E3 visas for Irish people. An E3 Visa is a professional work visa intended for professional individuals. The Republican-led House of Representatives has refused to take-up the cross party Bill. Now, Republican Congressman, Jim Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin, wants to bring the Bill back as a standalone piece of Legislation. We, as Irish-Americans need to support this!

The LAOH, as a 501 c 3 cannot as a whole, support anything political. We, as individuals, can!

As your Immigration and Legislation Chair it is my duty to keep you informed of matters that effect legal Irish immigration. You, as private citizens can take the information I supply you with and act on it.

Let Congressman Sensenbrenner know how you feel. Also, New York State has 27 Congressmen and women. Let your voices be heard! Remember, your writings will be your own personal feelings. Nowhere in your correspondence should you use any reference to the LAOH.

The Honorable F. James (Jim) Sensenbrenner Jr.
US House of Representatives
2449 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515-4905
http://sensenbrenner.house.gov/contact/email.htm

As always in our motto,

Teresa Kearns
Immigration and Legislation

A Call for Prayers

10/11/2015

 
Sisters,
​
​​This morning I had the honor of sharing breakfast with Ireland's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, at the residence of Barbara Jones, Irish Consulate General. Our Worthy National President Mary Hogan was also present. The other 25 people included Ambassadors, lobbyist, immigration leaders, politicians, and journalists. I can't tell you why I was asked, but I assume it is because we as women have been known to effect important change and grow awareness for social justice issues.  

The Minister spoke frankly and off the record on many issues. Based on those comments, I am asking each Division to remember to offer prayers at the start of each meeting for peace and propensity in all of Ireland. The current talks regarding Northern Ireland need our prayers.

Further information and requests will be forth coming in a few days from our Immigration and Legislation and Freedom for All Ireland State Appointees.

Once again Sisters, it is my continuing pleasure to serve each of you.

Your State President,

​Karen Keane
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