Galway Advertiser 1997/1997_04_03/GA_03041997_E1_042.pdf 

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Comment & Letters
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The Treaty of Rome: Forty years on

lthough, ironically, it probably passed unnoticed, last week saw the 40th anniversary of the most far-reaching event of the post-World War II era, the signing of the Treaty of Rome on March 25, 1957 establishing the European Economic Community, the first stage in what we now know as the European Community. The signing came at the end of a long and sometimes stormy period of negotiations which began at the Conference of Messina in 1955. There were many in post-war Europe who had serious reservations about the creation of such an economic struc ture, in which a common economic policy based on co-operation between states rather than competition would determine the future development of a new kind of Europe. In a sense, some of the same concerns that animated the debate prior to the treaty signing are with us still: there were those who were afraid of the economic dominance of the United States; others were suspicious of a new Roman Empire coming into being; some countries were anxious that national identity would be submerged in a large bureaucratic entity. Then there were those who gloomily predicted that the mechanisms necessary for deregulating trade would completely distort the fabric of national economies; again, others feared that the abolition of customs duties and freedom of movement for work ers within member states would cause major problems in the different countries. As we have indicated, some of these anxieties remain - in fact, the current British General Election is being fought by an ad hoc party that regards the whole concept of closer economic and social union as the work of the devil, or Germany. Genuine con cerns also exist over the seemingly endless number of directives, many of which - like that regularising the shape of bananas - smack of the absurd. There are frequent com plaints that the European Court overlooks, ignores or rides roughshod over legitimate social and cultural differences, while the debate on a common European Defence Force alarms many in this country who value our neutral stance on the world politi cal scene. Perhaps it is a good thing that the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome falls when it does, at a moment when, once again, serious and far-reaching discussions are tak ing place on the future o f European Union. The different criticism we have mentioned, and others as well, are a healthy sign that the fundamental idea animating the original architects of the European Economic Community still has the ability to make all o f us think more seriously about the future I of a still significant region o f the globe, just as it did 40 years ago. What needs to be recalled is the situation out o f which the European Community emerged. Europe had only recently experienced a devastating war that had caused enormous destruction o f the cultural, social and economic structures of the continent. And it was the second such war in less than half a century. It was visionaries like Robert Schuman who dared to propose an alternative strategy for a war-torn Europe, based on the idea o f interdependence and co-operation, on the recognition of long-term rather than short-term interests. If the nations of Europe could be bound together economically, they believed, the chances o f another war would be greatly lessened. Peace, the elusive dream of generations, could be forged out of common interests and common necessity. Forty years later. Ireland is the beneficiary of that vision. Few would question that our economic strength can be directly connected with our membership of the EEC and now of the European Union. No system is perfect; no organisational structures are fool-proof. This is why the current debate on the future development o f the Union is a good thing. We may be confident that the original architects and visionaries o f mod ern Europe would approve of such debate. T h e y were, after all, not simply visionar ies; they were, first and foremost, practical visionaries. Whatever our particular mis givings on this or that aspect o f the European Union, all o f those who proudly call themselves Europeans owe them a considerable debt o f gratitude.

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Support for Chick from Coventry
D e a r Editor,

For many years I have received the Galway Advertiser through the kindness of my friends, Kathleen and Tim Molloy of Bohermore. I was born in Galway, so any news from home is always very welcome. Although I have lived in England since I was a child, Galway will always stay in my heart. I am writing to support that great and dedicated sportsman 'Chick' Gillen, whose legendary boxing club in Bohermore is about to close. I was horrified to hear of this, as Chick has represented Galway through the boxing cir cle for many years. He must be supported for all the years of dedication and honesty he has given. Many years ago I met Chick when my brother-in-law Mick Leahy, the former British middleweight champion, visited Galway with his wife Teresa (my sister) and his family. Chick, as usual, was the perfect gentleman and

gave us all a real Galway welcome. This man gave many of his young boxers the chance to travel and meet u p with boxers from other countries and cemented friendships that still last today. Please, give Chick all the support you can, and keep the Irish flag fly ing, not only at boxing events, but for all future Irish champions representing Ireland through their sportsman ship. Best wishes for the future to Chick and his wife Maureen, and all the lads at Bohermore in the boxing club. Mick and Teresa also send their best wishes. Sincerely, Eileen Ryan 79, Roosevelt Drive, Tile Hill North, Coventry

In Defence of post-mortem individuality
vidual grave kerbstones and white After the Famine 150 years ago, ordi pebbles, and impose new tiny limits nary Galwegians finally became able on headstones as well. to afford memorial gravestones And so the corporation's grass-cutting instead of their previous poverty- machinery might roam unimpeded stricken anonymity. And the rich pro over everyone beneath... fusion of headstones which has This is the sort of proposal one might evolved in the meantime, proves very expect from a first-year engineering definitely that they prefer post student who has seen too many ceme mortem individuality. teries on American crime TV. It seeks Galwegians both dead and alive to enforce grey bureaucratic uniformi should therefore now be appalled at ty instead of individual choice. City Hall's latest questionable brain Similar official thinking has given wave - to introduce new American- long ugly lines of identical houses in style cemeteries here. Knocknacarra and Tirellan, and new Briefly these places would ban indi- rows of cheap, faceless flats in central
Dear Editor,

areas like Dominick Street. So that if these new 'Americanised' graveyards were to be adopted, grey uniformity would have extended even into the next life for the inhabitants of Galway. People should speak out against such shallow proposals, which threaten our ways of life - and death - so seriously. And further make sure that our elect ed councillors take due note of popu lar feelings here. Cordially, Dr Sean O'Donnell Chairman Cairde

Parks more Circus animals - a return to important than hotels the days of bear-baiting?
Dear Editor, Last May 1996,1 stayed with friends on Rockbarton Road on my first visit to Ireland, and it will not be my last. I had my first view of Galway Bay and hope that people will think before they destroy the lovely park and view. Parks are needed more than a five-star hotel. I live in Revere, Massachusetts where we have the oldest public beach in America. At one time Revere Beach was a dump! Now it is cleaned up looking like a park should. Love to Mary and Bridgette D who live on Rockbarton Road. Yours sincerely, Tony Fleming, 471 Broadway, A p t I. Revere, MA. 02151. USA
Dear Editor,

he decision by Galway Corporation to maintain a watching brief on the hous ing development currently underway near historic Rahoon House is another reminder of how carefully our heritage needs to be guarded. At the forefront of this active custodianship is An Taisce. which has drawn attention to the cultural sig nificance of this 18th century Georgian house that was once the home of the Joyces, one of the famous Galway Tribes. The sad fact is. over the past seventy odd years far too many of Ireland's historic houses have fallen victim to indifference and ignorance. That these houses were so often symbols of the social tyranny exercised by the old landed class certainly enables us to at least partly forgive the way many of them have been treated. But there are other, weightier considerations. First of all. these often beautiful houses were built by Irishmen, decorated by Irishmen, and - as in the well-known case o f Coole Park - occupied an important place in the cultural history o f this country. Secondly, whatever memories they may have conjured u p for that generation that witnessed the downfall of the landed class, many of the buildings themselves are superb examples o f Irish architecture and visible tes timony to the historical experience o f Irish men and women down through the ages. Where this dimension has been recognised, as with Strokestown House, Castletown House, and Westpon House, they become living repositories o f this experience; in short, these buildings help us to understand ourselves as a people and as a nation. The past is fragile: manuscripts decay o r are destroyed by accident; ring forts are ploughed up: castles collapse: old houses are stripped o f their lead, their roofing tiles, their furnishings T h e landscape is a palimpsest o f our past. Organisations such a s A n Taisce fight the good fight for all o f us. J

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An Taisce - fighting the good fight

In a year in which the rhinoceros and the tiger are threat ened with extinction and are the subject of international efforts to protect them, it seems incredible that Galway is actually welcoming a circus that uses two of these animals in its acts. Isn't the belief that we have the right to exploit any animal, whether domestic or wild, for our entertain ment a truly medieval attitude, in direct descent from bear-baiting and badger-baiting? Every year Galway continues to welcome circuses that debase animals. When is it going to join the rest of civilised world and only welcome those shows that cele brate the skill and apathy of the human body instead of those that imprison and degrade our fellow creatures? Yours faithfully, Amanda Lacy, Midge Coffey, Angela Hynes Rosscahill, C o Galway

THIS WEEK...

W h e r e is David Joyce?
D e a r Editor, I'm trying to find the whereabouts of a gentleman that 1 met while visiting Galway in the late 1980s. We kept in touch for a number of years. I've tried several avenues of trying to locate him. but with no success. His name is David Joyce. His family was one of the 12 original tribes to senle in Galway. He was a lawyer, and lived at 19 Forster St in Galway. He was responsible for making my stay in your wonderful city a most memorable experience. Thanking you in advance for any information that you could provide. Until I hear from you. I remain. Yours sincerely, David Harrison. (Address with Editor)
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