NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE I do not need to restate our opposition to the British Irish Council (BIC) the Celtic League set out its objections to the body within months of the BI being founded. I feel sure the Celtic League will confirm its disdain for the concept at its forthcoming AGM in Dublin. However it is in place and we (the taxpayers) are all paying for it ? at a time when incomes and services are stretched as never before ? so what is it doing? When the answer seems to be very little judging by some of the ?areas of work? section of its website. This sets out a ?hotchpotch? of issues on which the Council is ?working? laid out in esoteric terminology only understood by those who, probably, make a comfortable living from the institution. I mean take this example from the section on ?Social Inclusion?: ?At the March meeting, Ministers agreed a new theme for the work sector on preventative spend, particularly in the context of an ageing population. A work sector meeting was held in mid-November to set out the programme for this work.? ( This would seem to be March 2012.) Or this on Housing (an area hard pressed folk in all the areas within the purview of the Council could use some relief): ?This has been particularly beneficial to Administrations given the volatility in the housing market in the wake of the global economic downturn. The group has developed a housing directory which provides detail on a number of key areas across the Member Administrations as well as on new initiatives. The next Ministerial meeting will take place in early 2013.? It?s meaningless ?gobbledygook? made all the more insulting by the fact its not even up to date! There are also of course the leaders meeting for which the title ?Not the G8? would be singularly apt. There is all the pretence, expensive security and disruption of a major meeting of world leaders but when you weigh it up what is achieved..nothing at all! In any case does anyone believe the Leader of the Welsh Assembly or the Manx or Channel Islanders leaders are likely to be the focus of a major terrorist plot? The strategy appears to be, surround the thing with mystique, keep the public as distant as possible and everyone will think something relevant and important is going on. Meanwhile carry on with the real business which seems to be having a jolly good time at our expense! The whole concept was in any case founded on a lie. The only way that the London and Dublin governments could get the type of Irish North-South political engagement they yearned for after the Peace Agreement was to create a body which tagged in a range of political ?odds and sods? from across the UK and Dependencies. So founded on a lie, expensive, doing nothing and going nowhere. It s past time this institution was wound up! J B Moffatt (Mr) Director of Information Celtic League 05/03/15 (Please note that replies to correspondence received by the League and posted on CL News are usually scanned hard copies. Obviously every effort is made to ensure the scanning process is accurate but sometimes errors do occur) ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues Internet site at: (voir le site) (voir le site)