Sir, – Tony McDarby (Letters, July 18th) suggests that the Taoiseach is not seeing a path to the goal of Irish unity, and is failing to observe how it could be achieved through the provisions in the Belfast Agreement. Mr McDarby’s belief is that the agreement holds a strategic route to unity via referendums on both sides of the Border.
His suggestion, a good one, is to propose a citizens’ assembly which “would prepare the ground” by a proper investigation and discussion of possible political, social, economic and constitutional aspects.
Mr McDarby takes Micheál Martin to task for not using politics to problem solve rather than forcing Irish unity.
And here is the crux of the problem. Apart from omitting a requirement for a citizens’ assembly on the other side of the border too, Mr McDarby appears to be assuming that an assembly would “prepare the ground” for Irish unity rather than coming to any other conclusion.
A citizens’ assembly is chosen as a random cross-section whose purpose is to deliberate and confer in order to reach a consensus. This methodology has already been helpful in confirming trust in democratic government in Ireland. Recommendations cannot be predicted or assumed in advance.
To attempt to do so would negate the credibility and public trust that are the foundational reasons for an assembly. – Yours, etc,
GERALDINE BIRD,
Doolin,
Co Clare.