http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/ Latest from the online edition en-gb Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:35:28 +0000 Copyright (C) 2010 Clyde and Forth Press Ltd http://www.clydeandforthmedia.co.uk/feeds/ 90 http://www.clydeandforthmedia.co.uk/furniture/ir_logo_500x75.png http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/ Our photograph on page five brings home how many people will be affected by cuts in funding to a vital service for learning disabled children in the county. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/29/391894-predictions-about-the-most-vulnerable-suffering-are-coming-true/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/29/391894-predictions-about-the-most-vulnerable-suffering-are-coming-true/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir, - I am taking this opportunity to write in your newspaper about the two new apartments as one approaches Henry Street, Enniskillen from the Sligo Road. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/29/391893-historic-view-now-hidden/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/29/391893-historic-view-now-hidden/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir, - The sale of NIE to the Republic’s state owned ESB is a wholly retrograde step, both economically and from the consumer perspective. NIE has always been a flagship company in Northern Ireland but it has now been effectively nationalized by a foreign government. Those who would argue that this does not have long term economic and political consequences are deluding themselves and the general public. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/29/391892-deti-has-failed-to-answer-concerns-over-nie-sale/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/29/391892-deti-has-failed-to-answer-concerns-over-nie-sale/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir - I am writing in support of a letter to your paper from fellow trade unionists last week expressing concern about the legal interference in the right to protest from our rulers in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Having read a number of reviews of the legislation and listened to an excellent set of speakers at a public meeting in Enniskillen recently. I can only come to the conclusion that the legislation will have no positive affect on dealing with contentious parades (which is what it was supposedly designed for) and will instead restrict your readers rights to peaceful protest against wrong doing whether as members of the local community or their respective trade union. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/29/391891-rights-to-protest-should-not-end-now/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/29/391891-rights-to-protest-should-not-end-now/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Our roads are really deteriorating when you see vehicles avoiding potholes. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/22/391851-another-pothole-to-look-into/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/22/391851-another-pothole-to-look-into/ Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir - Sinn Fein Councillor Flanagan’s argument to those opposed to the draft assemblies Bill by citing “what’s the alternative? does not stand-up. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/22/391850-orange-order-should-take--alternative-routes/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/22/391850-orange-order-should-take--alternative-routes/ Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir -Sinn Fein and DUP Councillors Flanagan and Brimstone having both failed to attend our public meeting organised to discuss the draft parades and protest bill where opportunities to put forward anything positive in support of their bill, instead chose to resort to cheap political point scoring in this paper shows the immaturity of the Council’s new members. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/22/391849-assemblies-bill-attack-on--democratic-right-to-protest/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/22/391849-assemblies-bill-attack-on--democratic-right-to-protest/ Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir -In response to the misleading comments put forward by Alison Brimstone and Phil Flanagan regarding the all-important issue of the draft Bill on Assemblies and Protests, it must be pointed out that their respective parties, the DUP and Sinn Fein have jumped a vital stage in any consultation process and that is to consult openly with the public before producing a Bill. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/22/391848-who-wants-a-dictatorship/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/22/391848-who-wants-a-dictatorship/ Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir -We the undersigned collectively representing Trade Unions in Fermanagh, take issue with the political parties particularly (SF/DUP) who attempted last week to justify the draft Bill on Assemblies and Protest. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/22/391847-unions-take-issue-with-assemblies-bill/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/22/391847-unions-take-issue-with-assemblies-bill/ Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dozens of families throughout Fermanagh will be devastated and say the future of their young people will be daunting once the Positive Futures community based support scheme for families closes for good this September. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/15/391846-most-vulnerable-will-lose-out-in-cutbacks/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/15/391846-most-vulnerable-will-lose-out-in-cutbacks/ Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir, - Following last Friday nights' (July 2) Newtownbutler Border Defenders band parade in the village of Newtownbutler, it has become obvious that Unionist politicians have huge difficulty with their counting skills. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/15/391836-which-unionist-politician-is-able-to-count/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/15/391836-which-unionist-politician-is-able-to-count/ Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir - The report carried on the front page of last week's edition regarding meetings in Newtownbutler over the parading issue was to say the least a complete distortion of the truth. I was going to add that your report would do justice to the infamous Sunday World, but it has kindly followed suit and copied your distorted story. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/15/391835-mcphillips-sets-record-straight-over-parading/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/15/391835-mcphillips-sets-record-straight-over-parading/ Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion It's hardly a ghost town, but the recession has hit Enniskillen town centre. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/08/391776-a-heritage-worth-supporting/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/08/391776-a-heritage-worth-supporting/ Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir, - In the last century, when the world was ruled by statesmen, there was less said and more achieved by 'actions speaking louder than words'. Nowadays politicians cannot resist the television cameras and microphones to make the latest off-the-cuff remark and sound-bite in response to daily questioning by a superabundance of media interviewers and commentators. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/08/391774-afghanistan-fallen-statistics-are-appalling/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/08/391774-afghanistan-fallen-statistics-are-appalling/ Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Leaving a property vacant just might not save money after all. Until now, no rates were calculated on properties which were lying idle. But a new decision by the Assembly taking effect from October next, will mean that all properties, whether occupied or vacant will still be liable for rates. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/01/391736-more-financial-headaches-for-property-owners/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/01/391736-more-financial-headaches-for-property-owners/ Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir, - A meeting was held in Donagh Millennium Hall on Monday June 28, 2010 and was attended by representatives from a range of groups which host community and voluntary activities in the village. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/01/391734-donagh-communitys-concerns/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/01/391734-donagh-communitys-concerns/ Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir, - While FDC maintains it is not "anti-dogs" it still put down 87 dogs last year, unnecessarily. I could understand that these dogs could not be 'rehomed', if the question must be put to the council - did they actually try? http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/01/391733-87-dogs-put-down/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/01/391733-87-dogs-put-down/ Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir, - Reading Michelle Gildernew's letter in your paper, 'Families have done their loved ones proud' I felt nauseous and particularly upset for all of those families throughout Northern Ireland who have lost loved ones at the hands of republican terrorists. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/01/391732-upset-for-republican-victims/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/01/391732-upset-for-republican-victims/ Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir, - I recently overheard a conversation in a local hotel between a lady from Australia and a man from Cork. It went more or less as follows. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/01/391731-an-outsiders-view/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/07/01/391731-an-outsiders-view/ Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Our front page this week tells the story of how a young wheelchair-bound boy wasn't able to attend an open day at Portora Royal School because they lacked the basic facilities to cope with his visit. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/06/24/391684-why-should-fermanagh-school-children-be-disadvantaged/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/06/24/391684-why-should-fermanagh-school-children-be-disadvantaged/ Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir, - May I take the opportunity to commend this newspaper for publishing the article in last week's edition, about Melvyn Bussell and the car accident which occurred, while driving drunk. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/06/24/391683-drink-driver-paid-a-heavy-price/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/06/24/391683-drink-driver-paid-a-heavy-price/ Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir, - On Tuesday June 15, I spent a very enjoyable two hours in the Enniskillen library at a book launch of 'Enniskillen in the rare ould times 2' by the Millennium Babes. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/06/24/391681-enjoy-enniskillen-in-the-rare-ould-times/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/06/24/391681-enjoy-enniskillen-in-the-rare-ould-times/ Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir, - Once more I am writing to you on behalf of the old people's home at Drumhaw. We are disappointed that this ban has not been lifted to let any more residents come here. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/06/24/391680-resident-disappointed/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/06/24/391680-resident-disappointed/ Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir, - I don't think I was the only person in Derrygonnelly who was unhappy and deeply uncomfortable by what went on at this years County Fleadh. The fact that some individuals felt it appropriate to brandish extremely realistic looking guns as if they were going out of fashion was at best a naive choice and at worst a sinister and wicked decision by the minority to intimidate the majority. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/06/24/391678-fleadh-should-be-family-event/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/06/24/391678-fleadh-should-be-family-event/ Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion Dear Sir, - As a local resident I feel it necessary to voice my anger and outrage concerning the float carrying balaclava clad men, brandishing replica guns pointed at various spectators, at the recently held Fleadh in Derrygonnelly. http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/06/24/391677-lessons-should-be-learned/ http://www.impartialreporter.com/opinion/roundup/articles/2010/06/24/391677-lessons-should-be-learned/ Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:00:00 +0100 Opinion