tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092460524833585582.post4126343151182547515..comments2010-01-09T09:58:36.075+00:00Comments on Socialist Democracy Blog: A slip of the tongue – No Irish need apply on Aer Lingus Belfast route.SD webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01246472542984375931noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092460524833585582.post-47729835265032361202008-02-07T21:06:00.000+00:002008-02-07T21:06:00.000+00:00This decision to ban Irish is ridiculous. I've set...This decision to ban Irish is ridiculous. I've set up a <A HREF="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10205170675" REL="nofollow">Facebook group</A> on the issue, <A HREF="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10205170675" REL="nofollow">come join us</A> and help have the decision reversed.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08833927018969627817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092460524833585582.post-25227285054224590142008-02-06T20:45:00.000+00:002008-02-06T20:45:00.000+00:00Scríobhaimis!Diarmuid Ó Mainnín, Uas., Príomhoifig...Scríobhaimis!<BR/><BR/>Diarmuid Ó Mainnín, Uas., <BR/>Príomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin, <BR/>Ceannoifig Aer Lingus, <BR/>Aerfort Bhaile Átha Cliath, <BR/>Baile Átha Cliath, <BR/>ÉIRE <BR/><BR/>"TÁ GAEILGE AGAM...AGUS EITLÍM!!!" <BR/><BR/>-Daithíhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10244973908794885703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092460524833585582.post-75604829418640211002008-01-07T12:06:00.000+00:002008-01-07T12:06:00.000+00:00I’m not sure about this being an example of ‘blowb...I’m not sure about this being an example of ‘blowback’ – a strange and unintended result of an initial decision – since the decision of Aer Lingus isn’t really that important and the 26 county state long ago took much more drastic action, including executing republicans, to defend partition.<BR/><BR/>In fact it’s the very inconsequential character of the move that is most striking. After all, if passengers are prepared to put up with Ryanair levels of customer care even loyalists would endure a couple of phrases of Irish. Besides the gross symbolism of it the real importance is that it shows how stupid the idea is that greater cross-border cooperation naturally leads to greater political union.<BR/><BR/>It also shows how for certain companies the border is a positive benefit to ‘all-Ireland’ expansion and how it has most obviously divided Irish workers. It shows how bad things have got when all political parties in the North celebrated the Aer Lingus move when it has been justified on the basis that wages and conditions in the North are lower. Fifty years ago unionists would have been shocked, angry and upset if Ulstermen and women were the cheap labour alternative for Eire.<BR/><BR/>This is not just bad news for nationalist workers. Protestant workers will face the same reduced conditions and will become prey to the petty and insulting sectarian ‘privileges’ of such restriction on the Irish language. The undermining of workers terms and conditions in Aer Lingus will inevitably be used against the company’s workers in the South on the grounds of ‘international’ competition.<BR/><BR/>Behind sectarianism lies the usual attack on the working class. Passengers should be as welcomed in Irish in Belfast as in JFK and the workers in Belfast should have the same terms and conditions as the ones in Dublin.Hoopyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15358274060750165422noreply@blogger.com