We must set aside Irish & gay rights and get government back to work

The solution to the ongoing crisis at Stormont is to set aside problems associated with the Gaelic language and issues to do with gay rights and proceed with all other issues.
Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill at Stormont on September 28, 2017, protesting in favour of an Irish language actSinn Feins Michelle ONeill at Stormont on September 28, 2017, protesting in favour of an Irish language act
Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill at Stormont on September 28, 2017, protesting in favour of an Irish language act

The Irish language is a dead language in any case. It is kept alive by millions in taxpayers’ money and is seldom spoken.

It is used as a cultural weapon and an exclusionary tool for employment opportunities.

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This is also true in the Republic and is just not confined to Northern Ireland. The issue of gay rights has been just as difficult for the Republic as it has been for Northern Ireland and it is going to take time.

The RHI issue will also take time to unravel, but proceedings are under way and again it will take time to sort out.

These types of difficulties have arisen in the Republic, but the business of government goes on because it has to.

Sure, there have been examples down south where issues have brought down a government from time to time, especially on corruption, but the need to keep going is still there.

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No administration answerable to the public in Northern Ireland will mean a reduced quality of life, especially with Brexit.

Issues can be put into abeyance for another day, they do not need to bring down the institutions which so many people have worked so hard to forge.

There is nothing to stop the parties from agreeing that agreement can not be found on these issues at this time and move on with other matters.

They can also agree and should do so, that when these issues come to a head again they will not bring down government.

Maurice Fitzgerald, Shanbally, Co Cork