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Show of spirit
As Christmas approaches many of us will be consumed in the headlong rush
of shopping and travel arrangements to ensure everything is in place before
the festive season is upon us.
And you can be sure there will be no end of discussion as to how the
true spirit of the season has been forgotten amid the commercialism that
surrounds what should be one of the most special times of the year.
But two examples in this week’s newspaper show not everyone has forgotten
Christmas should be a time when we think of those less fortunate than ourselves.
First a lorry load of gifts arrived at London’s Cricklewood Homeless
Concern destined for the residents of this vital establishment. They were
collected by the people of Ireland touched by the stories of those men and
women who left the country to make a new life in Britain and often through
no fault of their own fell upon hard times.
Then the legendary pop band Madness gave of their own time to stage a
lunchtime concert for all those living at Arlington House — another vital
sanctuary in the capital for Irish men and women looking to get back on
their feet after suffering hard times.
Neither Madness nor the people of Ireland needed to make these gestures.
But it is a measure of their thoughtfulness and compassion that they deemed
it worthwhile. And it is also a reminder that while many of us both here
and in Ireland are enjoying the fruits of economic success places like Cricklewood
Homeless Concern and Arlington House are still needed to care for those
who do not enjoy the same benefits.
Honours due
There's a world of difference between the day to day lives of House of
Commons tea lady Noleen Delaney and broadcaster Terry Wogan.
But this week both were proud to receive honours for conspicuous service
in their chosen fields of work.
Undoubtedly there will be many who believe it is still not right for
the Irish born and bred to accept honours bestowed by the British monarchy.
It is a debate that has raged long and loudly in the letters pages of The
Irish Post for many a year — and will probably resurface over the next few
weeks.
But both Noleen and Terry were both more than happy to receive their
accolades. And if that’s the case isn’t it about time the Irish Government
realised it should start acknowledging its own instead of letting other
countries do it for them? Surely some form of Presidential honour is long
overdue.
Child support
Never say Bertie Ahern and his Ministers don’t listen. For the past six
months the government has faced mounting criticism over its childcare policy
— or, in the view of opponents, lack of such.
So step forward Finance Minister Brian Cowen who used his 2006 Budget
to unveil a wide-ranging set of policies aimed at helping families with
young children. In fact it was so wide-ranging there was practically little
else included in Mr Cowen’s measures. So well done for listening — and we’re
sure it cannot have had anything to do with a looming General Election and
plummeting support for the government.
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