Northern Ireland gains

Recently, I went to Belfast, Northern Ireland, and a hockey game broke out. While professional ice hockey is all the rage and games are the hottest ticket in town, the recent election, coupled with renewed incidents of sectarian violence and the inevitable resignation by David Trimble as First Minister of the Assembly, has once again put the community on thin ice.

It is of great irony that hockey has created a politically neutral and family friendly environment that serves as a sanctuary for non-sectarian activity while political acrimony still keeps permanent peace and complete prosperity at bay.

In the two years since former Sen. George Mitchell’s Good Friday Agreement, a great economic regeneration of Belfast has occurred. This includes the unlikely success of ice hockey and the popularity of the Belfast Giants housed in the multi-purpose, education and entertainment Odyssey Arena. The Odyssey, part of the revitalized River Lagan and within walking distance to downtown, is next to several new high quality hotels, businesses, restaurants and the soon to be developed Titanic Quarters, where the great ship was built. After years of ignoring the fact that the Titanic was built there – another example of a local attitudinal sea change – Belfast is now ready to accept, capitalize and develop on that connection.

Because the River Lagan has become a river of hope and the Odyssey a symbol of peace and prosperity, the people of Northern Ireland should not let Trimble’s resignation deter the great social and economic gains that were born from peace. The election two weeks ago voted away the compromising middle and further elevated the Nationalist and Unionists who are more steadfast in wanting concessions.

The anticipation and worry of David Trimble’s resignation is that the peace agreement and process will also fall through. To offset this, the Assembly needs to continue, and his Unionist followers need to stay in office so there can be an equitable and long standing resolve to their primary sticking point – the disarming of IRA arms. At the same time, proper reform of the police needs to continue on track.

With the annual Drumcree spectacle approaching, its time for the community to band together and not let the gains of the past few years melt away. British Prime Minister Tony Blair will work equally hard to assure that Northern Ireland troubles don’t damper the celebration of his recent reelection or halter his legacy. Amplified by Trimble’s move, the next few weeks are pivotal and the upcoming marching season makes things extra slippery.

While the immediate future may not be as ominous as some predict, the key players are in the crease, and the people of Northern Ireland have a chance to preserve the gains from the Good Friday agreement. It is time for the community and politicians to score a winning goal for economic renaissance and rebirth that comes with peace.

Lee Umphrey is Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator for the city of Bangor and most recently traveled to Belfast and Bangor, Northern Ireland, to explore trade and business opportunities for the city of Bangor.