Brendan Smith urges church and government talks for small communities
Brendan Smith called for renewed engagement between government and church leaders, arguing that church leaders with an all‑Ireland remit can be an important conduit for communities with small numbers. He urged that every available channel be used to address deprivation, low attainment and the lack of basic skills that prevent many from obtaining gainful employment.
Context of past church-government engagement
Brendan Smith recalled that there used to be considerable engagement at official and political level between government and church leaders in relation to the advancement of the peace process and ongoing community concerns. He said church leaders who have an all‑Ireland remit historically played an important role in conveying issues affecting smaller communities.
Small communities and political engagement
He warned that some communities with relatively small numbers may not have had sufficient political engagement with governments or with the executive and political parties, and that their needs and concerns must be addressed. Smith argued that those communities often are not as politically involved as they should be and that additional conduits are required.
Education, skills and employment concerns
Brendan Smith highlighted the need for progress on education and attainment, noting large numbers of people still without basic skills. He linked deficiencies in basic skills and attainment to barriers to useful and gainful employment and called for targeted action.
Northern Ireland and protocol difficulties
He acknowledged that, apart from protocol difficulties in Northern Ireland at present, there are many areas where more progress is needed. Smith referenced issues discussed in relation to Northern Ireland, including consideration of the decade of centenaries.
Recent meetings and next steps
He noted that the last meeting of the All-Island Christian Churches was held in April of the previous year and discussed issues pertaining to Northern Ireland. He expressed hope that a further meeting could be arranged to continue engagement and to use church‑state channels to raise the concerns of smaller communities.
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Some years ago, to my understanding, there used to be considerable engagement at official and political level between government and church leaders of all denominations in relation to the advancement of the peace process and indeed the need to deal with the ongoing concerns of some communities. My understanding was that at that time the church leaders who have an all Ireland remit were an important conduit on issues of concern to some communities, particularly communities with small numbers. In some instances those communities with relatively small numbers might not have had as much political engagement with governments here or with the executive in Northern Ireland or with the political parties as would be desirable throughout the entire island. Apart from the protocol difficulties in Northern Ireland at present, there are also many areas where we need to see much more progress. I am thinking of the whole area of education and attainment and the large numbers of people still without basic skills who have not attained skills to go on to get useful and gainful employment. So in regard to the areas of general deprivation, lack of education and attainment, I think it would be very important that every conduit is used to get the views and the concerns of the communities that may be small in numbers but whose needs and concerns need to be addressed. And oftentimes those communities aren't as politically involved as they should be. Thank you, Alaskan Corla. Deputy Smith, you are correct. The last such meeting was April of last year in terms of the All-Island Christian Churches in respect, which I gave some reference to my opening reply, which did discuss issues pertaining to Northern Ireland, particularly in the context of the decade of centenaries and how best to do that. I would hope for a further meeting, if we can be arranged in relation to that, we will arrange a further meeting. anything.
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