Northern Ireland, Derry name and Defence Forces pay
Senator Ó Domhnaill linked the absence of power-sharing in the North to Brexit, objected to Derry being referred to as Londonderry, and called for better pay for Defence Forces personnel. Interjections from other Senators did not change the main three-part complaint.
I wholeheartedly support everything Senator Mac Lochlainn said about Lough Foyle. I also wish to mention briefly the situation in the North and the lack of power-sharing, which will lead to a political vacuum when Brexit is on the agenda. People in the North deserve a channel or a voice through their Assembly. That is lacking now, so there can be no broad debate by the communities' representatives in Stormont. That is an indictment of the political process and is definitely an indictment of Theresa May's government. There is a need for the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister to discuss this issue. It is crucial to all citizens in the North that Stormont is up and running again, particularly in light of Brexit.
I was taken aback by the recent Constituency Commission report which showed the city of Derry as Londonderry on its map. This was done by a Government agency here.
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It identifies Derry city, Doire Cholmcille, where I went to university, as Londonderry. That should be addressed and should never, ever be allowed to happen again, when it is paid for by the Irish taxpayer.
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The final issue I wish to mention is the pay of Defence Forces personnel. The Defence Forces are under huge pressure. There have been marches by wives and partners throughout the country. They are totally under-resourced. The Government is sitting back on this issue but it must be addressed. Defence Forces personnel have to go to the Money Advice & Budgeting Service, MABS, and other places to deal with their financial stresses and burdens. They deserve to be paid adequately for the work they do on behalf of the Irish State.